Working with Inadequate Tools: Legislative Shortcomings in Protection against Ecological Effects of Artificial Light at Night

Sibylle Schroer, Benedikt John Huggins, Clementine Azam and Franz Hölker
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Sibylle Schroer: Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany
Benedikt John Huggins: Institute for Environmental and Planning Law, University of Münster (WWU), 48143 Münster, Germany
Clementine Azam: Agence Etudes Seine-Nord, Office National des Forêts, 7300 Fontainebleau, France
Franz Hölker: Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, 12587 Berlin, Germany

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-38

Abstract: The fundamental change in nocturnal landscapes due to the increasing use of artificial light at night (ALAN) is recognized as being detrimental to the environment and raises important regulatory questions as to whether and how it should be regulated based on the manifold risks to the environment. Here, we present the results of an analysis of the current legal obligations on ALAN in context with a systematic review of adverse effects. The legal analysis includes the relevant aspects of European and German environmental law, specifically nature conservation and immission control. The review represents the results of 303 studies indicating significant disturbances of organisms and landscapes. We discuss the conditions for prohibitions by environmental laws and whether protection gaps persist and, hence, whether specific legislation for light pollution is necessary. While protection is predominantly provided for species with special protection status that reveal avoidance behavior of artificially lit landscapes and associated habitat loss, adverse effects on species and landscapes without special protection status are often unaddressed by existing regulations. Legislative shortcomings are caused by difficulties in proving adverse effect on the population level, detecting lighting malpractice, and applying the law to ALAN-related situations. Measures to reduce ALAN-induced environmental impacts are highlighted. We discuss whether an obligation to implement such measures is favorable for environmental protection and how regulations can be implemented.

Keywords: regulation; standardization; environmental law; outdoor lighting; specially protected species; habitat protection; key biodiversity areas; key biodiversity organisms (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2551-:d:336342

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