Edward B. Barbier

Edward B. Barbier is a University Distinguished Professor in the Department of Economics at Colorado State University and a Senior Scholar in the School of Global Environmental Sustainability. His research focuses on environmental economics, sustainable development, and international environmental policy. Barbier has authored over 350 peer-reviewed publications and 27 books, including influential works like Economics for a Sustainable World (2025) and Natural Resources and Economic Development (2019). He advises international organizations such as the UN, World Bank, and OECD, and is a Fellow of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists.

His academic trajectory includes a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of London. Barbier’s work bridges environmental science and economic policy, addressing global challenges like water scarcity, climate change, and biodiversity loss. Recent research emphasizes green technology limitations, poverty-environment traps, and the economic dimensions of post-pandemic recovery.

Key awards include the 2017 EAERE Award for outstanding publication and recognition as one of the world’s leading environmental economists. Barbier teaches courses such as ECON 492 on managing the global water crisis, integrating theoretical frameworks with real-world case studies.