Rui Santos is a full Professor at the School of Science and Technology of NOVA University Lisbon. Holds a degree in Economics from Universidade Católica Portuguesa, a Master in Operational Research and Systems Engineering from Instituto Superior Técnico, and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from NOVA University of Lisbon.
He is a researcher at CENSE – Center for Environmental and Sustainability Research and the CHANGE – Global Change and Sustainability Institute Associated Laboratory. He served as Director of CENSE (2017-2021), coordinator of the Ecological Economics and Environmental Management area at CENSE (2007-2017), and a member of the Board of Directors of CHANGE (2020-2024). His research focuses on Environmental Economics and Ecological Economics, namely in the design and evaluation of environmental policy instruments, with a focus on economic and market mechanisms, as well as the regulation of water and waste markets. He was a member of the Board of Directors of IRAR (now ERSAR) between March 2003 and November 2006. He has collaborated as an expert and consultant for the European Commission and the Portuguese Government, Autonomous Regions, municipalities, and public and private entities, in areas such as water management, waste, biodiversity, energy, and transport. He was appointed to the Commission for the Reform of Green Taxation (2014) and other working groups, mission groups, and advisory councils (e.g., CC of ERSAR; CT for the Voluntary Carbon Market; WG for the National Nature Restoration Plan).