The Wetland Contract as a Governance Tool to Manage Conflicts in the Venetian Lagoon

A novel governance approach, the Wetland Contract for the Northern Lagoon of Venice, demonstrates potential as a tool to reconcile competing priorities of socioeconomic development and biodiversity conservation. This participatory initiative brings together diverse stakeholders to commit to coordinated management, restoration, and protection of wetlands, addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change in this vulnerable UNESCO World Heritage Site. The contract serves as a living laboratory for testing innovative strategies that balance human needs with ecological preservation.

Tosi, M. C., Franzese, A., & Jessen, M. J. (2025). The Wetland Contract as a Governance Tool to Manage Conflicts in the Venetian Lagoon. Blue Papers, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.58981/bluepapers.2025.2.06