AN INTEGRATED POLICY APPROACH TO SIMULTANEOUSLY ADDRESS THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC CRISIS

Background and motivation. Combating climate change, similarly to combating current pandemics, is a unique event. No generation before has experienced it, so the learning curve has yet to be established. To tackle this issue, humanity needs to be open to dynamic, coordinated and innovative solutions. While decision-makers strive for the appropriate response to the health crisis and the deep, perhaps prolonged recession that follows, scientists urge them to seize the opportunity to tackle climate change. This issue is often overlooked in the current situation, even though it presents a severe threat to humanity. Research problem. Crisis management requires specific policies with a strategic vision. Therefore, it is easier to pursue long-term goals in such moments than in normal circumstances. However, current research shows a lack of a policy approach that would integrate economic and environmental aspects during the crisis. Without a holistic and integrated political concept, EU Member States are more in favour of economic recovery and less in favour of combating climate change and environmental degradation. Aims of the project. Our primary purpose is to develop a comprehensive set of scientific tools for a radical policy-systemic transition to a green and resilient future economy. The project will contribute to general aims: 1) Extensive reduction of environmental pressures through a shift in policy-making, regulation and behavior; and 2) Awareness of the acute ecological crisis as an overlooked component of the economic recovery. Methods. The scope of activities and methods is intentionally broad and diverse to achieve the project's stated objectives and tackle the problem theoretically and empirically from several different scientific perspectives and three time-dimensions (past, present and future). The project applies a multi-method, mixed approach (advanced quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods). We will focus on upgrading the existing theory on environmental policy integration and in-depth, empiricallybased policy lessons from the last financial crisis. Thus, we will explain and provide rationale for the integrated policy approach built on sound governance principles and effective communication of general public for a sustainable future. Contribution. We will systematically determine where the intersection between recovery measures and environmental policy lies. We will upgrade the existing theoretical model on policy integration by considering the European Green Agreement and recovery measures. Also, we will find out what worked and what did not in the past financial crisis to mitigate its effects and progress toward a low-carbon economy. Besides, we will develop an original index for assessing the links between environmental policy, environmental quality and economic growth. We will also focus on also sustainable budgeting. In the end, we will analyse the shifts in consumer behavior during the pandemic in support of sustainable development and prepare communication support to promote sustainability policy as anti-pandemic policy. Team strengths. The work will be based on an effective and thoughtful combination of three research groups from three institutions with a long research tradition. The excellent scientific performance of the project leader and team members on environmental economics and sustainability (IER), regulatory governance (UL FPA) and consumer behavior (UL SEB) ensure that the work carried out is of high quality and completed within the required timeframe. The group demonstrates the capability of independent and creative thinking and to conduct research responsibly and with quality by 35 published articles ranked in the first quartile of the SCI/SSCI /Scopus index in the last five years, almost 3000 pure citations (sum by authors 2011-2020) and by leading several projects (16) of comparative ranking.