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Problem-Shifting between International Environmental Treaty Regimes: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions

Descripción del proyecto

Cambio de los problemas ambientales del mundo

Cada mes, los Gobiernos de todo el mundo se reúnen para tomar decisiones importantes a fin de resolver los problemas ambientales mundiales. Con todo, sus decisiones suelen dar lugar a nuevos problemas ambientales, a veces incluso más crónicos y graves, un hecho que se conoce como cambio de problemas ambientales del mundo. Hay más de ochocientos tratados ambientales internacionales en vigor, por lo que la escala y complejidad del cambio de los problemas ambientales es grave y, probablemente, no deje de aumentar. El proyecto ProblemShifting, financiado con fondos europeos, explica por qué se produce el cambio de problemas entre estos tratados y estudia los efectos sistémicos del cambio de problemas en la gobernanza medioambiental mundial. A partir de estos hallazgos, el proyecto ofrece soluciones de gobernanza innovadoras que ayudan a garantizar que los esfuerzos ambientales mundiales tengan en conjunto un impacto positivo neto.

Objetivo

International environmental treaties (e.g. Paris Agreement) are designed to solve specific environmental problems. Yet their potentially negative impact on environmental issues other than their own is rarely studied. Until now global governance theories have assumed that environmental treaties are inherently ‘green’, and hence, any adverse consequences are conveniently set aside as unintended or inevitable. But is that true? Here I question, do environmental treaties ever pursue their objectives by merely shifting problems to others? If so, when and why? Does such buck-passing create any systemic risk beyond those directly affected? And what might be appropriate responses to ensure our efforts add up to a net positive impact? Environmental problem-shifting, or protecting one part of the environment by damaging another, is a major dilemma arising in global governance. Yet the issue remains under-investigated, requiring an urgent scientific inquiry. PROBLEMSHIFTING will thus examine the causes and consequences of, and provide solutions to, environmental problem-shifting between international environmental treaty regimes. By drawing on my interdisciplinary and multi-method expertise in 'earth system' law and governance, I will (1) identify and explain conditions under which problem-shifting occurs; (2) assess and predict systemic effects of problem-shifting; and (3) offer solutions for optimizing the currently fragmented governance system. The project aims to advance the theoretical debate on the architecture of global governance and its overall effectiveness. The scientific breakthrough will be enabled through methodologically innovative combinations of qualitative and quantitative methods, including process tracing, comparative case studies, network analysis, system dynamics modelling, and multi-stakeholder workshops. Building on the theoretical and empirical foundations, I promise unique insights and valuable advice to markedly improve global governance decisions.

Régimen de financiación

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

Institución de acogida

UNIVERSITEIT UTRECHT
Aportación neta de la UEn
€ 1 495 000,00
Dirección
HEIDELBERGLAAN 8
3584 CS Utrecht
Países Bajos

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Región
West-Nederland Utrecht Utrecht
Tipo de actividad
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Enlaces
Coste total
€ 1 495 000,00

Beneficiarios (1)