Transboundary Light Pollution in a European Context: Case Study of Alpes Azur Mercantour

Abstract

This thesis sets out to determine the transboundary impact of Italian light pollution on the Alpes Azur Mercantour IDSR, an area of France with robust policies to combat light pollution. Following the example of earlier work, zenith radiance measurements from VIIRS data across the period of 2012-2024 are used to estimate the percent contribution of zenith brightness by provinces and departments in a 200 km. radius of Mont Mounier. Finding that 38% of zenith brightness on Mont Mounier originates from Italy, this thesis compares the light pollution laws between the two countries, the laws (or lack thereof) in the European Union, and the fragmented landscape of light pollution metrics, all of which have led to this situation. Light pollution is an inherently transboundary issue, particularly in Europe, requiring binding EU-level policy to address. A European approach to light pollution should be modelled after the Union’s air pollution legislation, addressing both sources (luminaires) and ambient pollution (skyglow).