Description du projet
Le déplacement des problèmes environnementaux à l’échelle mondiale
Chaque mois, des gouvernements du monde entier se rassemblent pour prendre des décisions importantes afin de résoudre des problèmes environnementaux qui se posent à l’échelle de la planète. Leurs décisions engendrent souvent de nouveaux problèmes environnementaux, parfois même plus chroniques et plus graves, – un phénomène que l’on désigne comme le déplacement des problèmes environnementaux à l’échelle mondiale. Avec plus de 800 traités environnementaux internationaux en vigueur, l’ampleur et la complexité du déplacement des problèmes environnementaux sont énormes et devraient s’exacerber. Le projet ProblemShifting, financé par l’UE, expliquera pourquoi ces traités ne font souvent que déplacer les problèmes et se penchera sur les effets systémiques de ce phénomène dans la gouvernance environnementale mondiale. S’appuyant sur ces résultats, le projet proposera des solutions de gouvernance innovantes qui contribueront à faire en sorte que nos efforts mondiaux sur le plan de l’environnement produisent un impact positif net.
Objectif
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.
Champ scientifique
Programme(s)
Thème(s)
Régime de financement
ERC-STG - Starting GrantInstitution d’accueil
3584 CS Utrecht
Pays-Bas