PROBLEMSHIFTING
This project aims to explain why problem-shifting occurs between international environmental treaty regimes and to assess its systemic effects. Building on these findings, it also aims to offer innovative governance solutions to ensure that our global environmental efforts have a net positive impact.
International environmental treaties, like the Paris Agreement, are designed to tackle specific environmental problems. However, their unintended negative impacts on other environmental areas are rarely explored. Traditionally, global governance theories have assumed that these treaties are inherently ‘green,’ often overlooking the possibility of adverse effects as either inevitable or insignificant. But is this assumption valid?
PROBLEMSHIFTING questions whether environmental treaties sometimes achieve their objectives by shifting problems to other areas, and seeks to understand when and why this occurs. It also examines whether this problem-shifting creates systemic risks that go beyond those directly affected. The project aims to find appropriate responses that ensure global environmental efforts result in a net positive impact, without merely transferring the burden elsewhere.
An unexplored dilemma
Environmental problem-shifting—where one environmental issue is addressed at the expense of another—is a major but underexplored dilemma in global governance. This project investigates the causes and consequences of this issue within international environmental treaty regimes and proposes solutions to mitigate its effects.
Drawing on interdisciplinary expertise in 'earth system' law and governance, the project will identify the conditions under which problem-shifting occurs and assess its broader systemic impacts. It will also offer strategies for optimizing the fragmented global governance system, aiming to improve coordination and reduce unintended negative consequences.
Innovative research methods
The project’s innovative combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods—including process tracing, comparative case studies, network analysis, system dynamics modeling, and multi-stakeholder workshops—will contribute to the ongoing theoretical debate on global governance. By building a robust empirical foundation, it seeks to provide unique insights and valuable guidance for enhancing the effectiveness of international environmental treaties and global governance decisions.
The project is funded by the European Research Council and runs from 2021 to 2026.