The best available evidence suggests that microplastics and nanoplastics do not pose a widespread risk to humans or the environment, except in small pockets. But that evidence is limited, and the situation could change if pollution continues at the current rate.

A Scientific Perspective on Microplastics in Nature and Society

Human societies rely on the vast diversity of benefits provided by nature, such as food, fibres, construction materials, clean water, clean air and climate regulation. All the elements required for these ecosystem services depend on soil, and soil biodiversity is the driving force behind their regulation. With 2010 being the international year of biodiversity and with the growing attention in Europe on the importance of soils to remain healthy and capable of supporting human activities sustainably, now is the perfect time to raise awareness on preserving soil biodiversity. The objective of this report is to review the state of knowledge of soil biodiversity, its functions, its contribution to ecosystem services and its relevance for the sustainability of human society. In line with the definition of biodiversity given in the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Convention1, soil biodiversity can be defined as the variation in soil life, from genes to communities, and the variation in soil habitats, from micro-aggregates to entire landscapes.

https://hal-bioemco.ccsd.cnrs.fr/bioemco-00560420/document

Soil biodiversity: functions, threats and tools for policy makers

The precautionary principle, or precautionary approach, is now widely accepted in environmental law and policy at international and, increasingly, national level. However, the principle remains highly controversial, its meaning contested, its acceptance and implementation inconsistent across sectors and contexts and its impacts unclear. This paper aims to inform and assist IUCN and its members in developing greater shared understanding of the meaning and implementation of the principle in the context of biodiversity conservation and natural resource management, respecting priorities of both conservation and sustainable development. It examines the meaning of the precautionary principle and its incorporation into biodiversity and resource management law and policy, and discusses a series of issues raised by its implementation in this sector for biodiversity conservation and for livelihoods and poverty alleviation.

The precautionary principle in biodiversity conservation and natural resource management : an issues paper for policy-makers, researchers and practitioners

This article discusses the impact of the rule of law on the resilience of societies for governing complex socio-ecological changes. It concludes that the notions of the rule of law and legal certainty have changed, and that they can be compatible with the use of framework laws of a rather open-textured character, provided certain legal safeguards, such as the right to a legal review, are at hand. While legal certainty is an important virtue of law, it does not as such necessarily prevent adequate flexibility in administrative decision-making concerning health, the environment or the use of natural resources. The article also considers to what extent certain established administrative means of control in the field of environment protection and the use of natural resources match the findings and proposals, e.g. on flexibility and adaptability, provided by resilience research. Finally the article discusses the impact of state sovereignty on governance of large-scale socio-ecological changes, with reach across state borders. It concludes that, despite some attempts of softening the impact of state borders in transboundary environmental decision-making and management, state sovereignty still hampers multilevel governance and management of resources in such contexts.

/pdf/the-rule-of-law-in-governance-of-complex-socio-ecological-13waj3qemg.pdf

The rule of law in governance of complex socio-ecological changes

Expertise in research integration and implementation is an essential but often overlooked component of tackling complex societal and environmental problems. We focus on expertise relevant to any complex problem, especially contributory expertise, divided into ‘knowing-that’ and ‘knowing-how.’ We also deal with interactional expertise and the fact that much expertise is tacit. We explore three questions. First, in examining ‘when is expertise in research integration and implementation required?,’ we review tasks essential (a) to developing more comprehensive understandings of complex problems, plus possible ways to address them, and (b) for supporting implementation of those understandings into government policy, community practice, business and social innovation, or other initiatives. Second, in considering ‘where can expertise in research integration and implementation currently be found?,’ we describe three realms: (a) specific approaches, including interdisciplinarity, transdisciplinarity, systems thinking and sustainability science; (b) case-based experience that is independent of these specific approaches; and (c) research examining elements of integration and implementation, specifically considering unknowns and fostering innovation. We highlight examples of expertise in each realm and demonstrate how fragmentation currently precludes clear identification of research integration and implementation expertise. Third, in exploring ‘what is required to strengthen expertise in research integration and implementation?,’ we propose building a knowledge bank. We delve into three key challenges: compiling existing expertise, indexing and organising the expertise to make it widely accessible, and understanding and overcoming the core reasons for the existing fragmentation. A growing knowledge bank of expertise in research integration and implementation on the one hand, and accumulating success in addressing complex societal and environmental problems on the other, will form a virtuous cycle so that each strengthens the other. Building a coalition of researchers and institutions will ensure this expertise and its application are valued and sustained.

/pdf/expertise-in-research-integration-and-implementation-for-22nakrgs6f.pdf

Expertise in research integration and implementation for tackling complex problems: when is it needed, where can it be found and how can it be strengthened?

General Introduction PART I: THE POLLUTER PAYS, PREVENTION AND PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLES: THREE APPROACHES TO ENVIRONMENTAL RISK Part I Introduction Chapter 1 The polluter-pays principle Chapter 2 The principle of prevention Chapter 3 The Precautionary principle Part I Conclusions PART II : THE LEGAL STATUS AND ROLE OF THE POLLUTER-PAYS, PREVENTIE AND PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLES : A SHIFT FROM MODERN TO POST-MODERN LAW Part II Introduction Chapter 4 Theoretical Presentation of Modern and Post-Modern Principles Chapter 5 The evolving function of environmental directing principles in the transition from modern to post-modern law Chapter 6 The legal status of the directory principles of environmental law: from political slogans to normative principles Chapter 7 Environmental directing principles versus free trade Part II Conclusions Apendix I: Table of Materials Bibliography Index

Environmental Principles: From Political Slogans to Legal Rules

Introduction, Origin, Status and Effects of the Precautionary Principle * PART I: European Community Law * The Precautionary Principle in European Community Health and Environment Law: Sword or Shield for the Nordic Countries? * PART II: Comparative Analysis of the Precautionary Principle in the Nordic Countries * Denmark * Finland * Iceland * Norway * Status of Precaution in the Nordic Countries: A Comparative Analysis * PART III: The Precautionary Principle and the Law of the Sea - A Nordic Perspective * The Precautionary Principle and the Helsinki Commission * The Precautionary Approach and Fisheries: A Nordic Perspective * PART IV: Precaution, Genetically Modified Organisms and Biodiversity * Uncertainty and Precaution: Challenges and Implications for Science and the Policy of Genetically Modified Organisms * Genetically Modified Organisms in European Union Law * Genetically Modified Organisms and Precaution in Norwegian Law * Genetically Modified Organisms and Precaution in Finnish and Swedish Law * The Precautionary Principle and Nature Conservation Law: EU and Danish Experiences * PART V: The Precautionary Principle and Chemicals * The Precautionary Principle in Swedish Chemicals Law and Policy * Risks, Costs and Alternatives in European Community Environmental Legislation * The Impact of the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (REACH) Regulation on the Regulatory Powers of the Nordic Countries * The Legacy of the Precautionary Principle in US Law * Conclusion, Lessons From International, EU and Nordic Legal Regimes.*

Implementing the precautionary principle : approaches from the Nordic countries, EU and USA

Envisaging anticipatory preventive action in response to uncertainty, the precautionary principle represents an important milestone in risk reduction. The question is no longer merely how to prevent assessable risks, but rather how to anticipate risks pervaded by uncertainty. By leaving behind the realm of ‘sound science’, precaution necessarily gives rise to conflict. As regards the status and the implementation of that principle, the aim of this article is to explore some of the key issues arising in environmental and food safety cases brought before the Tribunal of First Instance, the European Court of Justice and the EFTA Court.

The Precautionary Principle in EC Health and Environmental Law

Envisaging anticipatory preventive action in response to uncertainty, the precautionary principle represents an important milestone in risk reduction. The question is no longer merely how to prevent assessable risks, but rather how to anticipate risks pervaded by uncertainty. By leaving behind the realm of "sound science," precaution necessarily gives rise to conflict. As regards the status and the implementation of that principle, the aim of this article is to explore some of the key issues arising in environmental and food safety cases brought before the Tribunal of First Instance, the European Court of Justice and the EFTA Court.

The Precautionary Principle in EC health and Environmental Law: Sword or Shield for the Nordic Countries?

General Introduction PART I: INTRODUCTION TO EU ENVIRONMENTAL LAW Introduction 1 Environmental Objectives, Principles, and Criteria of the Environmental Policy in the TEU and TFEU 2 The Right to Environmental Protection in Treaty Law, in the ECHR, and in the EUCFR 3 Competences, Powers, and Legal Bases 4 General Overview of EU Secondary Environmental Law Conclusions PART II: THE RESPECT OF TREATY PROVISIONS ON FREE MOVEMENT OF GOODS, SERVICES, AND ESTABLISHMENT Introduction 5 Free Movement of Goods 6 Freedom of Establishment, Free Movement of Services, and the Environment 7 National Provisions Derogating from Secondary Law Conclusions PART III: COMPETITION LAW AND ENVIRONMENT Introduction 8 The Concepts of Undertakings and the Relevant Market in Light of Environmental Considerations 9 Article 101 TFEU 10 Article 102 TFEU 11 Environmental Regulation and EU Competition Law 12 State Aids and Environmental Protection Conclusion General Conclusion

Nicolas de Sadeleer

Papers

Environmental Principles: From Political Slogans to Legal Rules

Implementing the precautionary principle : approaches from the Nordic countries, EU and USA

The Precautionary Principle in EC Health and Environmental Law

The Precautionary Principle in EC health and Environmental Law: Sword or Shield for the Nordic Countries?

EU Environmental Law and the Internal Market