Environmental Economics & Business Systems

A wealth of opportunities lives at the intersection of business, economics, and the environment. Arizona Environment explores the economic impacts of environmental degradation, policy frameworks for controlling environmental impacts, and business solutions that support a sustainable economy.

Environmental impacts are real costs that are often not reflected in the prices that businesses and consumers pay.  We strive to find the optimal intersection between society’s needs, private sector interests, and environmental protection and restoration.  We move the global economy towards new solutions by measuring the costs of environmental impacts and developing policy frameworks that lead businesses and citizens to consider those costs.  These policy frameworks lead to better long-term choices and technologies throughout the economy.  And by building the business case for sustainability, Arizona Environment researchers encourage stakeholders and community partners to adopt practices that lead to a sustainable future.

Research Spotlights in Environmental Economics & Business Systems

Jose Soto

School of Natural Resources and the Environment

Soto’s research involves the use of modeling and econometric-based approaches to inform decisions for managing urban ecosystems. 

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Ashley Langer

Economics

Langer’s research includes investigations of how consumers make decisions over which vehicles to drive, when and where to purchase gasoline, and the implications for the design of energy policy. 

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Derek Lemoine

Eller College of Management

Lemoine combines economic theory and computational methods to better understand the dynamics of optimal environmental policy and of energy systems, and investigates applications of economic decision-making under uncertainty.

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Bonnie Colby

Agricultural and Resource Economics & Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences

Colby’s research examines the economic tradeoffs in water and energy management, climate change adaptation, and incentive-based agreements to improve water supply reliability for agricultural, environmental, and urban needs. 

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