The rhetoric of “science diplomacy": Innovation for the EU's scientific cooperation? EL-CSID Working Paper Issue 2018/16 • April 2018

In the recent years, the EU policy discourse has endorsed the notion of “science diplomacy” that points to the interaction between scientific research and foreign policy as instrumental in the societal and political progress. Commissioner for science, research and innovation Carlos Moedas is particularly keen on seeing “the EU play an increasingly active and visible role in international science diplomacy” (Moedas, 2016). In doing so, the EU is part of, and perhaps leading among, those global actors that have jumped on the “science diplomacy” bandwagon, where the activities concerned with scientific cooperation (such as part of the work by UNESCO or The World Academy of Sciences – TWAS) are framed as “science diplomacy”

Small-scale fisheries access to fishing opportunities in the European Union:Is the Common Fisheries Policy the right step to SDG14b?

The profile of small-scale fisheries has been raised through a dedicated target within the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG14b) that calls for the provision of ‘access of small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets’. By focusing on access to fisheries resources in the context of European Union, in this article we demonstrate that the potential for small-scale fishing sectors to benefit from fishing opportunities remains low due to different mechanisms at play including legislative gaps in the Common Fisheries Policy, and long-existing local structures somewhat favouring the status quo of distributive injustice. Consequently, those without access to capital and authority are faced by marginalizing allocation systems, impacting the overall resilience of fishing communities. Achieving SDG14b requires an overhaul in the promulgation of policies emanating from the present nested governance systems

Building leaders for the UN Ocean Science Decade : a guide to supporting early career women researchers within academic marine research institutions

Diverse and inclusive marine research is paramount to addressing ocean sustainability challenges in the 21st century, as envisioned by the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Despite increasing efforts to diversify ocean science, women continue to face barriers at various stages of their career, which inhibits their progression to leadership within academic institutions. In this perspective, we draw on the collective experiences of thirty-four global women leaders, bolstered by a narrative review, to identify practical strategies and actions that will help empower early career women researchers to become the leaders of tomorrow. We propose five strategies: (i) create a more inclusive culture, (ii) ensure early and equitable career development opportunities for women ECRs, (iii) ensure equitable access to funding for women ECRs, (iv) offer mentoring opportunities and, (v) create flexible, family-friendly environments. Transformational, meaningful, and lasting change will only be achieved through commitment and collaborative action across various scales and by multiple stakeholders.Peer reviewe

The mediterranean sea we want

open58siThis paper presents major gaps and challenges for implementing the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) in the Mediterranean region. The authors make recommendations on the scientific knowledge needs and co-design actions identified during two consultations, part of the Decade preparatory-phase, framing them in the Mediterranean Sea’s unique environmental and socio-economic perspectives. According to the ‘Mediterranean State of the Environment and Development Report 2020’ by the United Nations Environment Programme Mediterranean Action Plan and despite notable progress, the Mediterranean region is not on track to achieve and fully implement the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030. Key factors are the cumulative effect of multiple human-induced pressures that threaten the ecosystem resources and services in the global change scenario. The basin, identified as a climate change vulnerability hotspot, is exposed to pollution and rising impacts of climate change. This affects mainly the coastal zones, at increasing risk of extreme events and their negative effects of unsustainable management of key economic assets. Transitioning to a sustainable blue economy is the key for the marine environment’s health and the nourishment of future generations. This challenging context, offering the opportunity of enhancing the knowledge to define science-based measures as well as narrowing the gaps between the Northen and Southern shores, calls for a joint (re)action. The paper reviews the state of the art of Mediterranean Sea science knowledge, sets of trends, capacity development needs, specific challenges, and recommendations for each Decade’s societal outcome. In the conclusions, the proposal for a Mediterranean regional programme in the framework of the Ocean Decade is addressed. The core objective relies on integrating and improving the existing ocean-knowledge, Ocean Literacy, and ocean observing capacities building on international cooperation to reach the “Mediterranean Sea that we want”.openCappelletto M.; Santoleri R.; Evangelista L.; Galgani F.; Garces E.; Giorgetti A.; Fava F.; Herut B.; Hilmi K.; Kholeif S.; Lorito S.; Sammari C.; Lianos M.C.; Celussi M.; D'alelio D.; Francocci F.; Giorgi G.; Canu D.M.; Organelli E.; Pomaro A.; Sannino G.; Segou M.; Simoncelli S.; Babeyko A.; Barbanti A.; Chang-Seng D.; Cardin V.; Casotti R.; Drago A.; Asmi S.E.; Eparkhina D.; Fichaut M.; Hema T.; Procaccini G.; Santoro F.; Scoullos M.; Solidoro C.; Trincardi F.; Tunesi L.; Umgiesser G.; Zingone A.; Ballerini T.; Chaffai A.; Coppini G.; Gruber S.; Knezevic J.; Leone G.; Penca J.; Pinardi N.; Petihakis G.; Rio M.-H.; Said M.; Siokouros Z.; Srour A.; Snoussi M.; Tintore J.; Vassilopoulou V.; Zavatarelli M.Cappelletto M.; Santoleri R.; Evangelista L.; Galgani F.; Garces E.; Giorgetti A.; Fava F.; Herut B.; Hilmi K.; Kholeif S.; Lorito S.; Sammari C.; Lianos M.C.; Celussi M.; D'alelio D.; Francocci F.; Giorgi G.; Canu D.M.; Organelli E.; Pomaro A.; Sannino G.; Segou M.; Simoncelli S.; Babeyko A.; Barbanti A.; Chang-Seng D.; Cardin V.; Casotti R.; Drago A.; Asmi S.E.; Eparkhina D.; Fichaut M.; Hema T.; Procaccini G.; Santoro F.; Scoullos M.; Solidoro C.; Trincardi F.; Tunesi L.; Umgiesser G.; Zingone A.; Ballerini T.; Chaffai A.; Coppini G.; Gruber S.; Knezevic J.; Leone G.; Penca J.; Pinardi N.; Petihakis G.; Rio M.-H.; Said M.; Siokouros Z.; Srour A.; Snoussi M.; Tintore J.; Vassilopoulou V.; Zavatarelli M

Identiteta okolja in okolje identitete

Identiteta Slovenije je razpeta med zunanjo podobo, ki gradi na simbolih neokrnjene narave in prevladujocim nacinom razmišljanja ter odlocanja v okoljskih zadevah, ki ukrepe za varstvo okolja zaznava kot oviro želenemu napredku. Ta razdvojenost izkazuje problematicnost, s katero se družba umešca v svojo okolico (nacionalno in globalno) in zavira Slovenijo pred oblikovanjem v trdno, odgovorno in ambiciozno demokracijo. Premik k njej terja poglobljen premislek o upravljanju s fizicnim okoljem, kjer ne zadostuje zgolj zatekanje k 'trajnostni' ali 'zeleni' retoriki, pac pa celostna vizija, ki bo hkrati izkazovala in sooblikovala podobo države

Marketing the market : the ideology of market mechanisms for biodiversity conservation

The emergence of market mechanisms for the protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services in recent years has been portrayed by most conservation institutions and epistemological frameworks as an unprecedented opportunity for the conservation of nature. This article shifts the focus from the improved effectiveness arguments concerning such mechanisms to examine their institutional and political context and origins. It outlines the field of transnational biodiversity markets and uncovers the normative biases it displays. The regulatory vocabulary of ‘market mechanisms’ is juxtaposed to the more explicit ideological approach professed by the critics of neoliberalism. The argument is that, rather than an inevitable component in contemporary conservation governance, market mechanisms imply a set of contested choices for certain values, a particular economic development trajectory, a particular understanding of the biodiversity problem, and a weak role for legal obligations. Transnational environmental law needs to establish its interest beyond that of the regulation literature if it is to account for the proliferating movements around the world in favour of a reasserted normative guidance for the markets and against the process of marketing the market.The article is a revised version of parts of the author’s EUI PhD thesis, 201

Transnational legal transplants and legitimacy : the example of ‘clean’ and ‘green’ development mechanisms

The introduction of the Green Development Mechanism (GDM) as a governance tool for biodiversity conservation is presented as a legal transplant, originating in the Clean Development Mechanism from the climate regime. The case provides an instance of a transplanted legal idea not from one jurisdiction to another but between two transnational regimes. The legal transplantation approach highlights the motives for replication and factors that hinder it. In this context, the discussion reveals that while the GDM was constructed for effectiveness concerns, it was presented as a transplant in order to import to the newly established model legitimacy from the original one. Yet, a uniform acceptance of the transplant was prevented because of divergent evaluations of the original model. The existence of several, not one, ideologies and perceptions explains why transplanting is a highly unpredictable strategy for fostering acceptance of a legal idea in the transnational space, and ultimately for its implementation. Following the recognition that legitimacy cannot be inherited, the initiative employed a mixed strategy to ensure its acceptance, based on the democratic principles and effectiveness that are expected from non-state authorities, as well as the consensus-based, treaty-grounded ‘rules of the game’ of state actors. The case highlights how the universal endorsement of all states, and the appearance of alignment with international norms and intergovernmental institutions, remain significant goals of transnational initiatives.First published: 09 September 2016The article is a revised version of parts of the author’s EUI PhD thesis, 201

Prispevek OZN k razvoju mednarodnega okoljskega prava

Prispevek ponuja pregled in oceno prispevka Organizacije združenih narodov (OZN) k razvoju mednarodnega okoljskega prava. Zagovarja tezo, da je OZN odigral ključno vlogo sprva pri samem nastanku tega področja kot veje mednarodnega prava, kasneje pa tudi pri njegovem čedalje večjem vplivu v globalnem upravljanju. Prisoten je bil in ostaja v fazah nastajanja področnih pravnih norm, njihovi izvedbi in uveljavljanju, koordiniranju ter reševanju sporov. Prispevek zgoščeno predstavlja funkcionalna področja, kamor sega domet organizacije, a tudi prostor transnacionalnih pobud in novih oblik prava, ki se namenoma razvijajo onkraj in brez OZN. Prednosti ter omejitve te organizacije so povzete skupaj s predlogom vloge OZN glede na pričakovan porast nedržavnih in upad globalnih pobud.This article reviews and reflects on the contribution of the United Nations (UN) to the development of international environmental law. The central role of the UN is foregrounded in first establishing the field as a branch of international law, and subsequently in placing protection of the environment among global priorities. The UN has been and continues to be a key forum for the emergence of sectoral legal norms, for their implementation, enforcement, and coordination, and for dispute resolution. Functional areas under the influence of the UN are outlined, and attention is also drawn to transnational initiatives and new forms of law that are deliberately developing beyond the UN. The paper concludes with a discussion of the advantages and limitations of the UN, and some proposals for the organization\u27s role in the context of the growing significance of non-governmental actors and the decline of global initiatives