Natural Resource Economics: The Essentials offers a policy-oriented approach to the increasingly influential field of natural resource economics that is based upon a solid foundation of economic theory and empirical research. Students will not only leave the course with a firm understanding of natural resource economics, but they will also be exposed to a number of case studies showing how underlying economic principles provided the foundation for specific natural resource policies. This key text highlights what insights can be derived from the actual experience.

Key features include:

- Extensive coverage of the major issues, including energy, recyclable resources, water policy, land conservation and management, forests, fisheries, other ecosystems, and sustainable development
- Introductions to the theory and method of natural resource economics, including externalities, experimental and behavioral economics, benefit-cost analysis, and methods for valuing the services provided by the environment
- Boxed 'Examples' and 'Debates' throughout the text, which highlight global cases and major talking points.

This second edition provides updated data, new studies, and more international examples. There is a considerable amount of new material, with a deeper focus on climate change. The text is fully supported with end-of-chapter summaries, discussion questions, and self-test exercises in the book, as well as a suite of supplementary digital resources, including multiple-choice questions, simulations, references, slides, and an instructor's manual. It is adapted from the 12th edition of the best-selling Environmental and Natural Resource Economics textbook by the same authors.