Caring for Nature: Between Values, Principles, Rights and Duties

On May 23, 2025, the online webinar “Caring for Nature: Between Values, Principles, Rights and Duties” was held via the MS Teams platform. The event was organized as part of the European research project LUMEN – Law of natUre and huMan Ecosystem approach: modelling a traNscultural eco-legal framework.

The meeting, promoted by the research unit of the University of Trieste under the scientific coordination of Prof. Serena Baldin and moderated by Prof. Silvia Bagni from the University of Bologna, brought together scholars and experts to reflect on the role of law and environmental policy in the protection of ecosystems, in light of new regulatory challenges posed by the European Union.

The webinar revolved around the search for legal tools and participatory practices capable of fostering a renewed alliance between humans and nature, grounded in sustainability, ecological responsibility, and the recognition of the rights of ecosystems.

The event opened with an introduction and coordination by Prof. Silvia Bagni, who provided an overview of the LUMEN project and the legal issues at the core of the discussion on nature protection.

The first presentation was delivered by Dr. Marco Onida, from the Directorate-General for the Environment of the European Commission, who illustrated the contents and implementation perspectives of EU Regulation 2024/1991 on Nature Restoration, with particular attention to the technical and financial challenges of its application.

Next, Prof. Andrea Crismani from the University of Trieste offered a reflection on the national implementation of the Regulation, focusing on the development of the National Ecosystem Restoration Plan and its implications in the Italian context.

Dr. Silvia Zanini, also from the University of Trieste, addressed the ecosystem approach in European law, highlighting the evolution of the jurisprudence of the Court of Justice of the European Union, with particular attention to biodiversity protection and wildlife conservation.

Prof. Davide Monego then explored the "Do No Significant Harm" (DNSH) principle, emphasizing its legal significance within the EU sustainability framework and its impact on the implementation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).

Adopting a more local and participatory perspective, Dr. Maurizio Tondolo, from the Ecomuseum of the Waters of Gemonese, presented the River Contract for the Ledra River as a concrete example of inclusive governance and shared protection of riverine ecosystems.

This was followed by a presentation from Prof. Giulia Sajeva of the University of Palermo, who offered an innovative reflection on rights related to ecosystem services, underscoring the importance of community involvement in nature conservation through legal empowerment tools.

The closing presentation was given by Prof. Serena Baldin of the University of Trieste, who proposed the development of a river contract inspired by the principles of the Rights of Nature, recognizing nature as a subject bearing rights.

The webinar generated significant interest, as shown by the lively final discussion, with approximately 30 participants connected. The event represented a valuable interdisciplinary opportunity to discuss the role of law in shaping a new human–nature relationship.