My doctoral thesis draws on the Interactional Theory of International Law as well as insights from the Earth System Science, Earth System Governance, and Earth System Law literature to undertake an in-depth diagnosis of IEL’s deficiencies. Based on this, it identifies five key areas for adjustment: the establishment of an additional regulatory Earth system layer; articulation of powerful values and visions capable of counterbalancing the environmentally harmful objectives and rationalities of non-environmental regulatory regimes; the introduction of more frequent and inclusive interactional fora; the streamlining of governance structures as well as making them more ecological reflexive and just; and strengthened implementation through (amongst others) a centralized monitoring and reporting system. The thesis culminates in a proposal for a new interactional governance framework between hard and soft law, designed to operationalize these adjustments and to enable IEL to better secure the habitability of the Earth system for human and non-human beings.
Alongside my doctoral research, I am working as an environmental lawyer in an environmental management consultancy in Zurich (Switzerland). We advise clients on diverse matters of Swiss environmental law (contaminated sites, soil and waste law, water protection law, climate law, etc.).
I am also an active member of the IUCN WCEL Soil and Sustainable Agriculture Law Specialist Group which is currently working on a new Global Legal Instrument on Soil Security.