Three-day economics modeling course for bioenergy policies to be held in Italy

In Italy, a three-day hands-on modeling course on the economics of bioenergy policies will take place in Ravello (Amalfi Coast, Italy) on June 20-22, 2015. The course is partially based on the newly released text, The Economics of Biofuel Policies: Impacts on Price Volatility in Grain and Oilseed Markets, by Harry de Gorter, Dusan Drabik and David R. Just.

This workshop will offer a mix of classroom lectures and computer lab exercises (please bring your laptops). In this way, the participants in the workshop will have full knowledge of the underlying theory; be able to forecast feedstock prices under alternative expectations of energy prices and mandate premiums; calibrate a basic model (with multiple policies in the baseline) for corn-ethanol in the United States versus sugarcane ethanol in Brazil, and canola-oil biodiesel in Europe. The participants will also be able to simulate the welfare effects of various policy (and market) scenarios on food commodity prices, the environment and energy markets, and assess how well the various energy security, environmental and farm policy goals are being achieved. Emphasis will be given on the efficacy of biofuel policies in small developing countries.

For further information please contact: [email protected]