Effective Nature Laws Workshop – 29th April 2016

On Friday, 29^thof April, Effective Nature Laws hosted a methodology workshop in the UCD Sutherland School of Law, the aims of which were to stimulate debate and to gain feedback on the project’s theoretical and methodological frameworks to date. Participants came from an array of institutions and organisations throughout the EU, resulting in a remarkable richness of experience and expertise in attendance both from the biodiversity and broader environmental governance perspectives. This article provides a greatly edited overview of some of the topics discussed – a complete account of everyone’s contribution to the workshop would far exceed the word count capacity of this blog!

Proceedings were opened by Michael O’Briain, who set the context for the Effective Nature Laws project and highlighted its pertinence given that a Fitness Check is currently being conducted for the Habitat and Birds Directives by the European Commission.

Prof Colin Scott from UCD praised the sophistication of the Effective Nature Laws project and provided important insights into how we might account for different attitudes towards property rights and land ownership across the three jurisdictions.

A representative from Teagasc (The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority) provided expertise in the areas of data collection and the evaluation of compliance.

Insight into the areas of French, and Dutch, law were contributed by Prof Michel Prieur from the University of Limoges, and Prof Chris Backes of Utrecht University, respectively. Both Prof Prieur and Prof Backes also gave their time generously prior to the workshop, providing the Effective Nature Laws team with invaluable information on compliance issues specific to both jurisdictions.

Dr Áine Ryall from University College Cork and representatives from the Department of Environment Community and Local Government, executed an interesting discussion about the role that the Aarhus Convention plays in Irish Law and how this may be measured. Delegates from the Irish National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) raised a number of issues relating to the role that the judiciary plays in enforcing Nature Laws and the importance of fostering local leadership towards compliance amongst landowners. A member from the Irish Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) outlined how communication strategies are vital for improving compliance levels towards environmental law, citing how approaching the Irish Countrywomen’s Association greatly accelerated the effectiveness of the EPA’s septic tank strategy.

A representative from Birdwatch Ireland mentioned, amongst other things, how regulatees’ attitude towards, and level of awareness of, Nature Laws matter enormously with regard to compliance. Dr Andrew Jackson from UCD questioned whether we need to account for historical and political contexts during the course of the research, with Dr Ryall noting that the role of media in setting contexts cannot be undermined.

As is evident from above, the Effective Nature Law team now have plenty of food for thought regarding the future of the project. We would like to sincerely thank all who were involved. Your input will inform and enhance our study into the design of effective biodiversity governance laws over the coming years.

Dr. Geraldine Murphy & Hugh McDowell

A full list of attendees is set out below: