Decentralized approaches to natural resource management: Key challenges and implications for policy design

This Open Lecture will explore key challenges and considerations in adopting decentralized approaches to natural resource management, with a particular emphasis on the economics of managing mobile public bads (such as vector-borne diseases). The presentation will begin by outlining the conceptual and methodological distinctions between centralized and decentralized management frameworks. It will then examine the economic incentives encountered by different stakeholders under decentralized governance. Finally, the discussion will address the implications of these dynamics for the design and implementation of effective policy instruments. Illustrative examples, including anecdotal evidence and insights from a recent publication will be used to ground the discussion in real-world contexts.