Tiina Paloniitty - Böcker

This book addresses the role of law in the adaptive management of socio-ecological systems.Recent years have witnessed a rise in discussion over the relation between adaptivity and law, as if after decades of insouciance, legal scholars have finally started to understand the impacts of the scientific paradigm called ‘adaptive management’ on the legal sphere. Even though the complicated relations between law and the adaptive management of socio-ecological systems have become more debated, a thorough examination of the scientific and theoretical fundamentals of such endeavours has yet to be presented. Using the illustrative example of European Union water governance and its path toward embracing adaptive management, this book emphasises the legal significance of properly understanding the manner in which scientific knowledge of the environment is produced. Though always pivotal, rigorously apprehending science is especially crucial when dealing with the management of complex ecosystems as the ‘normative’ is created gradually before law begins to examine the ‘facts’ of the matter. After examining the roots of adaptive management, this book argues that the legal needs to understand itself as an integral part of the process of the socio-ecological management of complex systems and not merely an external umpire resolving disputes.As a whole, the book offers new insights into the EU regulator’s approaches to scientific realities, making it an interesting read not only to academics and legal scholars but also to regulators striving to deepen their understanding or pondering which approach to adopt in the face of new regulatory challenges, and to scientists interested in the science and law aspects of their work.

This book addresses the role of law in the adaptive management of socio-ecological systems.Recent years have witnessed a rise in discussion over the relation between adaptivity and law, as if after decades of insouciance, legal scholars have finally started to understand the impacts of the scientific paradigm called ‘adaptive management’ on the legal sphere. Even though the complicated relations between law and the adaptive management of socio-ecological systems have become more debated, a thorough examination of the scientific and theoretical fundamentals of such endeavours has yet to be presented. Using the illustrative example of European Union water governance and its path toward embracing adaptive management, this book emphasises the legal significance of properly understanding the manner in which scientific knowledge of the environment is produced. Though always pivotal, rigorously apprehending science is especially crucial when dealing with the management of complex ecosystems as the ‘normative’ is created gradually before law begins to examine the ‘facts’ of the matter. After examining the roots of adaptive management, this book argues that the legal needs to understand itself as an integral part of the process of the socio-ecological management of complex systems and not merely an external umpire resolving disputes.As a whole, the book offers new insights into the EU regulator’s approaches to scientific realities, making it an interesting read not only to academics and legal scholars but also to regulators striving to deepen their understanding or pondering which approach to adopt in the face of new regulatory challenges, and to scientists interested in the science and law aspects of their work.

This timely book explores how environmental law must evolve to combat urgent global threats, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and ecological degradation. In order to effectively mitigate these challenges, the book advocates for holistic, inclusive, and creative solutions that prioritise recovery and regeneration.Examined through global and interdisciplinary lenses, the chapters cover key ecological concerns including climate justice, indigenous rights, mental health impacts, and governance innovation. Leading experts rethink traditional legal frameworks, proposing adaptive models grounded in community participation and systemic reform. They emphasise justice and inclusivity, highlighting how indigenous knowledge systems, youth advocacy, mental health support, and rights-based approaches will help alleviate the current climate crisis. Re-imagining Environmental Law provides a compelling vision for a legal system that nurtures ecological and social wellbeing, prioritising education, care, and a commitment to planetary health for future generations.This book is a valuable resource for scholars and students in the fields of environmental law and sustainability studies. The book’s focus on rights, community engagement, and governance innovation will also be of great benefit to policymakers, government advisors, NGOs, and civil society advocates.

This comparative book explores the dynamics driving how courts across Europe and beyond understand and analyse scientific information in nature conservation. The Habitats and the Birds Directives—the core of EU nature conservation law—are usually seen as the most ‘uniform’ parts of EU environmental law. This book analyses the case law from 11 current and former EU Member States’ courts and explores the dynamics of how, and crucially why, their understandings of scientific uncertainty on the one hand, and EU environmental principles on the other, vary. The courts’ scope and depth of review, access to scientific knowledge, and scientific literacy all influence such decisions—as does their interpretation of norms and principles. How have the courts evaluated scientific evidence, encompassing its essential uncertainties? This book answers this and many more questions pertinent to EU environmental law, comparative environmental law, administrative law, and STS studies.Co-edited by experienced leaders in the field, and with outstanding contributors, this book is an essential guide to the dynamics of nature conservation law.