On November 22, 2024, the Fudan Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) organized the 64th lecture of the Fudan-LSE Lecture Series. Professor Giles Atkinson from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) delivered a lecture on the theme of Natural Capital and Sustainability: Connecting Measurement and Policy, which was chaired by Yijia Jing, Dean of IGPP.

Professor Atkinson is currently the Acting Director of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and Environment at LSE and serves as a Professor of Environmental Policy in the Department of Geography and Environment. His expertise lies in the economics of sustainable development.

Professor Atkinson revisited the initial definition of sustainability provided by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987, highlighting the balance between improving life quality and maintaining ecological sustainability. He emphasized that the relevance of this concept has grown increasingly urgent in the context of the current global environmental crisis. Professor Atkinson elaborated on the classification of natural capital, distinguishing between renewable and non-renewable resources, and stressed the importance of integrating natural capital into development decisions.

On the policy front, Professor Atkinson explored the implications of natural capital for development, fiscal policies, and taxation, particularly for resource-dependent nations. He underscored the need for governments to carefully design taxation systems, utilize tax revenues effectively, and manage risks associated with natural capital. With an example for cross-national comparisons, he discussed how international data frameworks can help countries better understand and address natural capital challenges. He concluded by addressing the challenge of balancing economic growth with social development.

On behalf of the IGPP, Professor Jing presented a gift to Professor Atkinson, and the lecture concluded successfully with a group photo.