About Us

The Research Unit “Ecological Economics and Integrated Assessment” (Eco2bcn) hosts an interdisciplinary group of collaborating researchers at the Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (ICTA) within Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona (UAB). Our mission is to develop, apply and disseminate critical knowledge necessary for improving human well-being and social justice while sustaining the natural environment.

Eco2bcn represents one of the very early research groups of Ecological Economics in the world, founded by Professor Joan Martinez-Alier. It was in Barcelona and at the UAB that in 1987 the first international conference of Ecological Economics was held, during which the International Society for Ecological Economics was launched. In 1997, the group’s activities were extended with a postgraduate teaching and PhD programme on Ecological Economics and Environmental Management.

Eco2bcn promotes collaboration in both teaching and research between the social-behavioral and natural sciences as well as within the social-behavioral sciences. The latter include economics, business administration, geography, psychology and sociology. Eco2bcn researchers have all inter-disciplinary training or expertise. We use a range of methods, notably integrated modelling, multi-criteria evaluation, multi-scale integrated assessment, evolutionary and behavioral analysis, social metabolism and political ecology.

Eco2bcn is a unit at the international frontier of research and teaching of Ecological Economics and Integrated Environmental Assessment. The unit works in close cooperation with decision-makers and communities to develop appropriate responses to combat environmental problems. Our researchers are involved in several projects funded by national and international bodies. Senior group members currently supervise some 30 PhD students.