Edited by Lorenzo Squintani, Jan Darpö, Luc Lavrysen and Peter-Tobias Stoll
Lorenzo Squintani, Jan Darpö, Luc Lavrysen and Peter-Tobias Stoll
This chapter brings to the foreground the tension perceivable in the field between the need to engage the public and the need for professional expertise in environmental governance. Indeed, not only can public opinion deviate from scientific knowledge, scientific knowledge itself can be lacunose or contradictory. In this chapter, the structure of the book is explained and the focal point of each chapter composing the book is provided.
Lorenzo Squintani, Jan Darpö, Luc Lavrysen and Peter-Tobias Stoll
This chapter reflects on the unique insight into techniques for the reconciliation of facts and feelings – two main components of environmental decision-making procedures – offered by the various contributions composing this book. This insight reveals a path leading to a new role for environmental administrations and courts in decision-making procedures. Accordingly, this chapter discusses how the progressive relevance of public participation procedures and science-based reasoning, coupled with the development of digital means of communication and decision-making, open the door to what can be called ‘environmental administration 3.0’.