Change as the only constant: How EU nature policy evolves
Beyond formulation: policy as a living Process
Policy studies often focus on how policy is formulated, and far less on how it evolves in practice. Ferranti’s thesis approaches Natura 2000 as a policy in continuous development. By analysing its long implementation history, she uncovers the mechanisms that drive change within policy processes and reveals the underlying dynamics that make implementation a complex and ever-evolving process. The research also sheds light on recent developments in EU nature policy, such as the implementation of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the adoption of the Nature Restoration Law.
Three interlinked dynamics
Ferranti demonstrates that the implementation of policies such as Natura 2000 is neither linear nor purely administrative, but a co-evolutionary process shaped by three dynamics:
- Vertical dynamics, referring to relationships across different governance levels;
- Horizontal dynamics, connecting sectors and stakeholders;
- Temporal dynamics, which become visible as policy changes over time.
Interplay as a driver of change
These intertwined dynamics shape how actors interpret policy goals, adjust formal and informal institutions, and reconfigure the meaning of policy. This ongoing and complex process of change is conceptualised in the thesis as the ‘interplay’ between policy dynamics. By emphasising the temporal dimension, the analysis offers insights into the developments and dynamics that have emerged throughout the history of implementation.
Continuous reinterpretation
The research shows that even seemingly fixed elements—such as legal and policy texts—are subject to continuous reinterpretation. Shifts in preferences, coalitions, and dominant discourses influence their meaning, making the implementation of Natura 2000 a dynamic and evolving process.
Implementation as a political process
A closer look at how policies are applied and adapted reveals that implementation is a political process, characterised by ongoing negotiation among actors with differing interests and perceptions. Outcomes are diverse and often unpredictable, as actors’ behaviour is intertwined with their interpretation of the policy context. This perspective provides new insights by linking theoretical reflections with practical implications: understanding policy implementation as a living process helps researchers and policymakers better anticipate how policy adapts to changing circumstances.
About the author
Francesca Ferranti (Italy, 1985), PhD candidate at the Faculty of Science, Department of Environmental Sciences will defend her PhD thesis at the Open University in Heerlen on friday 12 December 2025. Her supervisors are Prof. Dr. Ir. R. Beunen and Dr. E.A.A. Groen (Open University).
The defence can be attended in person at the Open University in Heerlen and followed live at ou.nl/live.
