Embedding the value of natural capital into food: a bet for local policies in marginal areas

This paper focuses on the correlation between socioeconomic marginality and environmental sustainability. These two concepts are at the chore of the international and European policy agenda, but they are not often merged in one action. Within this study, we selected a marginal area in central Italy...

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Main Authors: Angelo Martella, Francesca Pietrangeli, Elisa Biagetti, Barbara Pancino, Silvio Franco
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Firenze University Press 2025-06-01
Series:Bio-based and Applied Economics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://oaj.fupress.net/index.php/bae/article/view/16911
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author Angelo Martella
Francesca Pietrangeli
Elisa Biagetti
Barbara Pancino
Silvio Franco
author_facet Angelo Martella
Francesca Pietrangeli
Elisa Biagetti
Barbara Pancino
Silvio Franco
author_sort Angelo Martella
collection DOAJ
description This paper focuses on the correlation between socioeconomic marginality and environmental sustainability. These two concepts are at the chore of the international and European policy agenda, but they are not often merged in one action. Within this study, we selected a marginal area in central Italy and assessed its environmental sustainability, using the method of the ecological balance. The results show that this territory has the capacity to provide an amount of natural capital greater than the ecological footprint generated by local production activities, thus the value of the ecological balance is positive. Then, we discussed how local policies can favor processes focused on agricultural products coming from areas recognized as sustainable. Environmental sustainability can be work as a branding strategy, which can raise the market value of the products and the farmers’ income, thus supporting the economic development of marginal areas and promoting the protection of their natural capital.
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publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Firenze University Press
record_format Article
series Bio-based and Applied Economics
spelling doaj-art-d63063bbba3347f3a94d0a7d3ded69232025-08-20T02:31:56ZengFirenze University PressBio-based and Applied Economics2280-61802280-61722025-06-0110.36253/bae-16911Embedding the value of natural capital into food: a bet for local policies in marginal areasAngelo Martella0Francesca Pietrangeli1Elisa Biagetti2Barbara Pancino3Silvio Franco4Università degli Studi della TusciaUniversità della TusciaUniversità degli Studi della TusciaUniversità degli Studi della TusciaUniversità degli Studi della Tuscia This paper focuses on the correlation between socioeconomic marginality and environmental sustainability. These two concepts are at the chore of the international and European policy agenda, but they are not often merged in one action. Within this study, we selected a marginal area in central Italy and assessed its environmental sustainability, using the method of the ecological balance. The results show that this territory has the capacity to provide an amount of natural capital greater than the ecological footprint generated by local production activities, thus the value of the ecological balance is positive. Then, we discussed how local policies can favor processes focused on agricultural products coming from areas recognized as sustainable. Environmental sustainability can be work as a branding strategy, which can raise the market value of the products and the farmers’ income, thus supporting the economic development of marginal areas and promoting the protection of their natural capital. https://oaj.fupress.net/index.php/bae/article/view/16911sustainabilitymarginalityecological balanceagriculturedevelopment
spellingShingle Angelo Martella
Francesca Pietrangeli
Elisa Biagetti
Barbara Pancino
Silvio Franco
Embedding the value of natural capital into food: a bet for local policies in marginal areas
Bio-based and Applied Economics
sustainability
marginality
ecological balance
agriculture
development
title Embedding the value of natural capital into food: a bet for local policies in marginal areas
title_full Embedding the value of natural capital into food: a bet for local policies in marginal areas
title_fullStr Embedding the value of natural capital into food: a bet for local policies in marginal areas
title_full_unstemmed Embedding the value of natural capital into food: a bet for local policies in marginal areas
title_short Embedding the value of natural capital into food: a bet for local policies in marginal areas
title_sort embedding the value of natural capital into food a bet for local policies in marginal areas
topic sustainability
marginality
ecological balance
agriculture
development
url https://oaj.fupress.net/index.php/bae/article/view/16911
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