Nicola Favretto

Research student

Nicola's project title is 'Jatropha curcas energy crop cultivation: policy and livelihood implications in Mali'.

Fossil fuel depletion, energy security and climate change concerns have precipitated recent investment in biofuels. Great hopes have been pinned on the oil-bearing, "drought resistant" non-edible tree Jatropha curcas (Jatropha) to help alleviate energy demands, restore degraded ecosystem services in drylands, combat climate change and generate income in rural areas of developing countries. However, the Jatropha sector is still young, available research is often controversial and empirical analyses on the claims and potential impacts of this plant is largely lacking.

This study presents new integrated multi-scale analytical assessments of the potential of Jatropha to diversify livelihood strategies and enhance energy access in rural Mali. It will identify the key stakeholders and policies addressing Jatropha in Mali, explore its role in livelihood diversification, identify policy gaps and ascertain 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 also had work experience at the European Commission, Directorate General Development and Relations with African, Caribbean and Pacific States, Brussels, and at the United Nations Development Programme, Environment and Energy Group, Bureau for Development Policies, New York. 

Research interests

• Sustainable energy;
• Environment;
• Agriculture and rural development.

Research articles

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. Download PDF of document| (6.01MB)