EE-REG Kyoto 2013

Framing the Carpathians for Regional Environmental

Cooperation

Simon GaberellUniversity of Geneva

Department of Geography and Environment

The Carpathians

A Biodiversity hotspot in CEE

Carpathian Convention

Framing the Carpathians for REC

Two interrelated modalities...

1. Scaling the Carpathian mountain range

2. Framing Regional Environmental Cooperation around the Carpathians

Scaling the Carpathians

A matter of identification/definition and delimitation

Many Carpathians, but also many mountains

1. Scaling mountains

Putting mountains on the global agenda

Reaching a global definition: unity

Kapos et al. (2000), UNEP-WCMC

1. Scaling mountains

From global to European scale

European Massifs: diversity

ESPON (2011), GEOSPECS, University of Geneva

1. Scaling mountains

From European to the Carpathians Scale

Towards a delimitation for the Carpathian Convention

Implementing an international mountain convention. (2006). European Academy of Bolzano

1. Scaling mountains

Mountain, a political object

Mountains definition/delimitation depends on agendas: Scale and Actors matters

Framing the CREC

1. Framing the Carpathian mountain range?

2. Framing Regional Environmental Cooperation around the Carpathians?

1. Spatial Framing

2. Argumentative Framing

3. Institutional Framing

2. Framing REC around the Carpathians

The Ecoregional Approach from WWF

A network of Protected Areas

Carpathian Ecoregional Initiative. (2001). WWF

2. Framing REC around the Carpathians

Problem solving or Opportunities creating?

UNEP, Ukraine and the EU: Making the Carpathian Convention

Carpathian Environment Outlook. (2007). UNEP

2. Framing REC around the Carpathians

EU Commission and macro-regional strategies

A strategic Action Plan for the Carpathians

Vision and Strategies for the Carpathian Area. (2009).

2. Framing REC around the Carpathians

Driven by international actors From Conservation to SD Beyond mountains

Framings/Initiatives Scaling Spatial Argumentative Institutionnal

CERI (1998) Ecoregion Network of PAs ConservationWWF-DCPO

Network of local and subregional actors

Convention (2003) Mountain Range Negotiated/ No

formal DelimitationConservation and

SDUNEP-ROE

International Treaty

Macro-Regional strategies (2009) Macro-Region Carpathian Space Sustainable

DevelopmentEU Commission /

ISCCAction Plan

Conclusion

Framing mountains, as specific objects for environmental cooperation?

or... Framing mountains regions, as territorial

laboratories for coordinated sustainable development policies?

Conclusion

Thanks!!