Florence, Italy ยท Governance for a Sustainable Future
The Politics of Sustainability: Policies and Governance
Italy presents a fascinating case study in the politics of sustainability, positioned at the
intersection of national traditions, Mediterranean environmental challenges, and European
Union directives. This course delves into the political aspects of sustainability in Italy, examining
how local, regional, and national governments are creating policies to address climate change,
environmental protection, and sustainable development. How does Italy's complex governance
system shape environmental policy implementation? What role does Italy play in advancing the
European Union's sustainability agenda? How do political, cultural, and economic factors
influence Italy's approach to environmental challenges?
Using Italy as both case study and classroom, students will study Italy's role in the European
Union's Green Deal and its influence on global environmental policies. Through lectures, field
visits to governmental bodies and environmental organizations, and project work, students
engage with both theoretical frameworks and practical applications of sustainable politics in
Italy, developing their analytical, research, and critical thinking skills while preparing themselves
to engage with complex environmental governance issues.
Strong institutions are the engine of sustainable change. This course centres on SDG 16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), while examining the political economy behind SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) at EU, national, and local levels.
5 Key SDGs AddressedBy the end of this course, students will be able to:
The course investigates how environmental policy is made, contested, and implemented โ moving from theoretical frameworks through EU and national governance to the politics of climate, inequality, and stakeholder coalitions.