Decentralization and environmental governance: The effect of subnational self-rule on coastal biodiversity protection in Spain

Subnational governance levels play a pivotal role in biodiversity protection, as evidenced in multilevel democracies over recent decades. Yet while research on decentralization’s impact on environmental governance has expanded, it remains unclear whether granting regional authorities greater self-rule has improved biodiversity outcomes in coastal areas. To address this gap, this study employs a qualitative research design to assess Spain’s decentralized political system, focusing on three regions: the Canary Islands, the Valencian Community, and the Region of Murcia. The findings contribute to environmental politics literature by highlighting the importance of cross-level judicial checks and balances, challenges related to institutional and regulatory complexity, the growing regional adoption of legislation despite limited authority in coastal governance, the benefits of regional governments’ closer connection to subnational realities, and the risk of policy capture by powerful economic elites.