Environmental Sustainability in the European Union: Socio-Legal Perspectives

Abstract

This book concludes the project entitled “Environmental Sustainability in Europe: A Socio-Legal Perspective” (2017/2020) coordinated by prof. Serena Baldin of the University of Trieste (Italy) and co-funded by the European Union through the Actions Jean Monnet Modules. The aim is to collect contributions on the topics that have been tackled during the three-year project and to offer a reflection on new paradigms in law, sociology and economics related to the protection of the environment. The book specifically focuses on two aspects. Firstly, it searches for a theoretical basis to promote a paradigm shift capable of responding to the severe loss of biodiversity and the incumbent climate breakdown, finding inspiration in the concept of common goods and in ecocentrism as well as in the ecosystemic approach. Secondly, it concentrates on recent trends in highly sensitive environmental issues, namely environmental democracy, flood risk prevention, payments for ecosystem services, social eco-compatibility in tourism sector.