The pressing climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises are showing the limitations of traditional environmental policies, calling for different, more radical interventions. In this context, restoration activities aimed at reconstructing damaged environments have captured the attention of international and national regulatory bodies, and restoration projects have been proliferating. However, despite this trend, ecological restoration remains largely unexplored in terms of its potential for influence and transformation. To fill this gap, this dissertation explores the scientific and ethical foundations of the practice, and their translation into legal norms. Moreover, the research examines the norms and institutions that are likely to facilitate or hinder ecological restoration activities. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this work combines comparative legal analysis with political economic theories to effectively address the research questions identified. Overall, the research demonstrates that the current implementation of restoration activities is scattered, uncoordinated and often inadequate, lacking the capacity to ensure ecological recovery in face of pervasive degradation. Moreover, since ecological restoration is frequently not legally mandated, its achievement is discretionary and reliant on individual public or private initiatives. This situation has implications not only for the effectiveness of restoration efforts but also for the ability of local communities to benefit from rehabilitated ecosystems. This research argues that a combination of policy instruments and incentives should be further studied to stimulate better and more just practices and strategies.

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION: BETWEEN LAW, POLICY, AND GOVERNANCE / E. Ciscato ; tutors: S. Valaguzza, V. Cecchini Manara ; doctoral programme coordinator: L. Sacconi. Dipartimento di Diritto Pubblico Italiano e Sovranazionale, 2023 Nov 14. 35. ciclo, Anno Accademico 2022.

ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION: BETWEEN LAW, POLICY, AND GOVERNANCE

E. Ciscato
2023

Abstract

The pressing climate, biodiversity, and pollution crises are showing the limitations of traditional environmental policies, calling for different, more radical interventions. In this context, restoration activities aimed at reconstructing damaged environments have captured the attention of international and national regulatory bodies, and restoration projects have been proliferating. However, despite this trend, ecological restoration remains largely unexplored in terms of its potential for influence and transformation. To fill this gap, this dissertation explores the scientific and ethical foundations of the practice, and their translation into legal norms. Moreover, the research examines the norms and institutions that are likely to facilitate or hinder ecological restoration activities. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, this work combines comparative legal analysis with political economic theories to effectively address the research questions identified. Overall, the research demonstrates that the current implementation of restoration activities is scattered, uncoordinated and often inadequate, lacking the capacity to ensure ecological recovery in face of pervasive degradation. Moreover, since ecological restoration is frequently not legally mandated, its achievement is discretionary and reliant on individual public or private initiatives. This situation has implications not only for the effectiveness of restoration efforts but also for the ability of local communities to benefit from rehabilitated ecosystems. This research argues that a combination of policy instruments and incentives should be further studied to stimulate better and more just practices and strategies.
14-nov-2023
Settore IUS/10 - Diritto Amministrativo
Settore IUS/14 - Diritto dell'Unione Europea
Settore SECS-P/02 - Politica Economica
Ecological restoration; environmental policy; law; behavioural economics; governance
VALAGUZZA, SARA
SACCONI, LORENZO
Doctoral Thesis
ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION: BETWEEN LAW, POLICY, AND GOVERNANCE / E. Ciscato ; tutors: S. Valaguzza, V. Cecchini Manara ; doctoral programme coordinator: L. Sacconi. Dipartimento di Diritto Pubblico Italiano e Sovranazionale, 2023 Nov 14. 35. ciclo, Anno Accademico 2022.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/1016188
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