Nicola Favretto
Research student
Nicola is in the final stage of a PhD in Environmental Sustainability at the Sustainability Research Institute, University of Leeds, UK. Nicola's project title is “Powering Mali with sustainable biofuels? Livelihood opportunities and policy challenges of Jatropha curcas”.
Biofuel investments have proliferated as an attempt to mediate the energy crisis, climate change and foster rural development. Great hopes have been pinned on the oil-bearing, “drought resistant” non-edible tree Jatropha curcas (Jatropha) through both its small- and large-scale cultivation. However, the Jatropha sector is still young and empirical analyses on the potential impacts on rural livelihoods and improved access to energy are largely lacking.
Nicola’s research presents new integrated mixed-method multi-level assessments of the implications of Jatropha uptake for rural development, food production and energy security in Mali: a sub-Saharan African country that has led the region’s biofuel policy initiatives. It identifies the key stakeholders and policies addressing Jatropha in Mali, explores the plant’s role in livelihood diversification, identifies policy gaps and ascertains the socio-economic, organisational and policy conditions under which each group can reap sustainable outcomes from Jatropha development.
Background
Nicola has a BSc in Economics and Social Sciences from the University of Milano-Bicocca, Italy, and an MSc in International Economic Integration from the University of Pavia, Italy.
He has gained relevant research experience in a developing country context, where the use of participatory tools focused on agro-ecosystems and livelihoods was of central importance to his PhD research.
Prior to his PhD, Nicola had work experience at the European Commission – Directorate General Development – Brussels, and at the United Nations Development Programme – Environment and Energy Group – New York.
Research interests
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Sustainable energy
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Agricultural and rural development
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Environment
Research articles
2013
Favretto. N., Stringer. L.C., Dougill. A.J. In press. Unpacking livelihood challenges and opportunities in energy crop cultivation: perspectives on Jatropha curcas projects in Mali. Working Paper, Centre for Climate Change Economics & Policy, Leeds and London, UK.
2012
Favretto, N., Stringer, L.C., and Dougill, A.J. September 2012. Policy and institutional frameworks for the promotion of sustainable biofuels in Mali. Working Paper, Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, Leeds and London, UK. Download PDF of paper| (1.04MB)
Favretto, N., Stringer, L.C., and Dougill, A.J. February 2012. Cultivating clean energy in Mali: policy analysis and livelihood impacts of Jatropha curcas. Working paper, Centre for Climate Change Economics and Policy, Leeds and London, UK. Download PDF of paper| (1.39MB)
2010
Favretto, N., Dyer, J.C. November 2010. Sustainable biofuels in Africa: cultivation of Jatropha curcas in Mali and Malawi. Africa College policy briefing note, Leeds. Download PDF of briefing note| (389KB)
2009
Financing for development [chapter 5]. European Commission annual progress report / staff working paper SEC 444. DG Development, Brussels. Download PDF of report| (348KB)
European Commission EU donor profiles. Accompanying document to the Commission Communication COM 160. DG Development, Brussels.
Policy articles
2013
Favretto, N. In press. Energising development with Jatropha curcas? Policy and institutional frameworks in the promotion of sustainable biofuels in Mali. Policy brief, Policy Innovation Systems for Clean Energy Security, Department for International Development (DfID), UK.
CCCEP presentations
2012