Latin American role for Heriot-Watt economist will focus on efficient resource use

An economist at Heriot-Watt University who specialises in how to manage the world’s resources sustainability and cost-effectively has been appointed to a major leadership role in Latin America.

Dr Claudia Aravena, an Associate Professor in Economics at the University’s Edinburgh Business School, has been appointed President of the Latin American Association of Environmental and Resource Economists (LAERE). She will lead LAERE as current President for a period of two years and then continue serving in the role of Past President for a further two years.

The role will involve fostering collaboration between researchers, students and policymakers working on environmental economics issues in Latin America. Environmental economics focuses on how to use and manage finite resources, such as water and land, in a way that sustains communities but also minimises environmental impact.

“This is particularly important in Latin America, where developing countries rely heavily on agriculture and extraction industries like fishing and mining,” Dr Aravena explained. “These industries are some of the main sources of income – alongside growing industries like tourism. The land and the sea are also the main source of food, so it’s important they can be used and managed in a way that protects them for future generations.”

Demand for data and expertise in resource use and environmental efficiency are growing rapidly in Latin America as governments and regulators set new standards for industry, Dr Aravena added.

“It's not just about research – environmental economics is used in impact evaluations for industry,” she explained. “It’s part of legislation now in many governments, where new laws incorporating the environment are being introduced. So, it’s a science that’s at the frontier of decision-making nowadays – not just in Latin America, but in the world.”

As President of LAERE, Dr Aravena will be one of five international representatives in the World Council of Environmental and Resource Economists Associations, alongside colleagues representing Asia, Africa, Europe and the United States.

“I feel honoured to represent Latin American in this role and also for the opportunity to contribute to academia and policy globally in this area,” Dr Aravena said.

LAERE is headquartered at the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá, Colombia, and currently represents more than 200 environmental and resource economists.

Dr Aravena and her LAERE colleagues are currently working with the other associations of the World Council to support the organisation of the World Congress of Environmental and Resource Economics, which will take place in Portugal in 2026.

In 2027, Mexico City will also host the next LAERE Congress, where delegates will share knowledge, exchange ideas and network with experts in the field of environmental and natural resource economics.

Dr Aravena’s research in Latin America includes identifying that paving roads in Bogotá could help to reduce air pollution and inequality by cutting air pollution from dusty roads in vulnerable communities. The Colombian government responded by pledging $600,000 towards paving new roads in Bogotá as part of a policy to reduce air pollution.

Other research projects Dr Aravena is currently conducting include environmental valuation and biodiversity conservation work in Peru and Ecuador, energy access work in Sub-Saharan Africa and energy efficiency and technology adoption projects in Scotland and Chile.

Dr Aravena, who is originally from Venezuela, is also developing collaborations between Heriot-Watt University and the Universidad de Concepción in Chile, Universidad Austral de Chile and the Chilean Forest Institute, which will provide valuable data for research on forestry, energy efficiency, technology adoption and air quality, benefiting both academics and students at Heriot-Watt University.

If you are interested in becoming a member of LAERE, you can register on their website here.