Laura Peralta’s thesis defense
The 2026/09/11
From 9:00am to 12:00pm
Event details :
Thesis title: Land Rights and Environmental Protection in Colombia. The Effects of Land Restitution and Conservation Policies on Land-Use Change
The jury is composed of:
- Mr Julien Jacob, Professor, BETA, University of Lorraine – Supervisor
- Mr Philippe Delacote, Research Director, INRAE, BETA, Climate Chair – Supervisor
- Ms Jennifer Alix-Garcia, Professor, Oregon State University – Rapporteure
- Ms Isabelle Chort, Professor, TREE, University of Pau and the Adour Region – Examiner
- Mr Jean-Marie Baland, Professor, CRED, University of Namur – Examiner
- Mr Antoine Leblois, Research Fellow, INRAE, Centre for Environmental Economics – Examiner
- Mr François Libois, Research Fellow, INRAE, Paris School of Economics – Examiner
- Ms Marie Boltz, Senior Lecturer, BETA, University of Strasbourg – Guest member
- Mr Kenneth Houngbedji, Research Fellow, IRD, DIAL, Paris Dauphin University – Guest member
Abstract: This thesis examines land property rights in a context of armed conflict in Colombia, using the Land Restitution Law and protected areas as instruments. Chapter 1 shows that most eligible municipalities never file a claim, and that how much violence they suffered predicts whether and how much they claim, while when it occurred predicts how quickly. Chapter 2 shows that where claims are filed, restitution increases forest loss, on land cultivated before the conflict and regrown during it. Chapter 3 finds no reliable evidence that protected-area designation reduces fire in the páramos. What makes a right bind is not the text that grants it, but whether it is enforced.
