Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104038
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Innovative governance for sustainable management of Mediterranean coastal aquifers: Evidence from Sustain‐COAST living labs
Author Ceseracciu, C.; Nguyen, T.P.L.; Deriu, R.; Branca, G.; Vozinaki, A.-E.K.; Karatzas, G.P.; Mellah, T.; Akrout, H.; Yıldırım, Ü.; Kurt, M.A.; Jomaa, S.; Carletti, A.; Roggero, P.P.
Source Titel Environmental Science & Policy
Year 2025
Department ASAM
Volume 167
Page From art. 104038
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords Groundwater governance; Sustainable water management; Living labs; Mediterranean socio-ecological systems; Governance learning
Abstract This study focuses on groundwater governance in Mediterranean socio-ecological systems, where anthropogenic and climate-related pressures lead to issues such as overexploitation, salinisation, and pollution, particularly in coastal areas. It provides empirical evidence of the practices and processes that foster governance learning and innovation towards adaptive and sustainable groundwater management, drawing on data from a comparative groundwater governance assessment of four case studies,each representing relevant issues within the mosaic of water challenges in the Mediterranean region. This study addresses several knowledge gaps by proposing a framework aligned with a socio-ecological systems approach, allowing for acomprehensive understanding of groundwater governance by consideringinterconnected social, economic, and environmental dimensions. The assessment process integrates diverse data and knowledge sources, and ensures the active participation of local stakeholders. The findings highlight several cross-cutting themes relevant to water governance innovation. These include transdisciplinary collaborations that recognise the multidimensionality of water governance, the role of cultural and social capital as catalysts for community mobilisation, the potential of community participation tools to promote voluntary behavioural changes, and the creation of social learning spaces to co-design scientifically robust and socially acceptable water management options. Furthermore, this study emphasises the integration of the Theory of Change to effectively engage stakeholders in the co-creation of tailored governance solutions, thereby enhancing the potential for sustainable policy outcomes.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=30645
Ceseracciu, C., Nguyen, T.P.L., Deriu, R., Branca, G., Vozinaki, A.-E.K., Karatzas, G.P., Mellah, T., Akrout, H., Yıldırım, Ü., Kurt, M.A., Jomaa, S., Carletti, A., Roggero, P.P. (2025):
Innovative governance for sustainable management of Mediterranean coastal aquifers: Evidence from Sustain‐COAST living labs
Environ. Sci. Policy 167 , art. 104038 10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104038