23. Environmental Policy

Author(s):  
David Benson ◽  
Andrew Jordan

This chapter examines the European Union's environmental policy. The EU has developed a variety of policies and institutions dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development. Environmental concerns have consequently shifted from being a marginal aspect of the European integration process to one that generate relatively strong political support from citizens. The chapter begins with a discussion of four perspectives for comprehending the evolution of EU environmental policy. one of which is to explore the content of the EU's environmental action programmes (EAPs). It then considers three interacting dynamics of policy-making in the environmental sector: Europeanization, internationalization, and cross-sectoral policy integration. It also reflects on challenges that EU environmental policy-makers are likely to face in the future.

Author(s):  
Asier GARCÍA LUPIOLA

LABURPENA: Europar Batasunaren oinarrizko arautegiaren arabera, garapen jasangarria Europako integrazio prozesuaren oinarrizko helburuetako bat da. Helburu hori betetzeko, Europa mailan ingurumen politikaren garapena ezin bestekoa izan da, baita energiak bertan duen presentzia gero eta handiagoa ere. Energiak pixkanaka gero eta garrantzi gehiago hartu du, ingurumenaren eta energiaren artean harreman estu iraunkorra finkatu delarik aipatutako helburura heltzen saiatzen diren askotariko estrategia, proposamen eta planetan. Hasiera batean ingurumen eta energia politikarik ez ziren. Ordea, gaur egun Europako Jatorrizko Zuzenbideak energi politika ingurumenaren babeserako bitarteko eraginkor gisa jasotzen du eta horrela ikus daiteke Jatorrizko Zuzenbide hori garatzen duten estrategia eta planetan, baita hartutako arauetan ere. ABSTRACT: Sustainable development is one of the objectives of the European integration process and this is reflected in the EU’s fundamental regulations. To achieve this, the implementation of the European environmental policy has been essential, as well as the increasing presence of energy in it. Energy has gradually acquired greater importance, establishing a constant relationship between environment and energy in the different plans and strategies that seek to achieve the objective of sustainable development. At the beginning there was no environmental or energy policy, however today the European Law includes the use of energy policy as an effective tool for environmental protection. This is clearly reflected in the plans and strategies that develop it as well as in the legislative acts adopted. RESUMEN: El desarrollo sostenible constituye uno de los objetivos del proceso de integración europea, tal y como expresa la normativa fundamental de la UE. Para el logro del mismo, la puesta en marcha de la política medioambiental europea ha sido fundamental, así como la cada vez mayor presencia de la energía en la misma. Precisamente, la energía ha ido adquiriendo progresivamente mayor importancia, estableciéndose una relación constante entre medio ambiente y energía en los diferentes planes y estrategias que tratan de alcanzar el objetivo citado. De una situación inicial de inexistencia de política medioambiental ni energética, se ha pasado a la situación actual en la que el propio Derecho Primario europeo recoge el recurso a la política energética como herramienta eficaz de protección medioambiental, lo que se refleja en los planes y estrategias que lo desarrollan así como en los actos legislativos adoptados.


2019 ◽  
pp. 373-386
Author(s):  
David Benson ◽  
Viviane Gravey ◽  
Andrew Jordan

Despite its very strong economic roots, the European Union has nonetheless become an international leader in environmental protection and sustainable development policy. Environmental concerns have consequently shifted from being a marginal aspect of the European integration process to one that routinely grabs news headlines and, unlike many other EU policy areas, generates relatively strong political support from EU citizens. These policies, which now impinge on most sectors and areas of the economy, have generally proven resilient to recent economic and deregulatory pressures. This chapter documents and explores the reasons behind the relatively rapid transformation in the EU’s governing capabilities in this policy area, explores the main dynamics of policy-making from different analytical perspectives, and identifies future challenges including Brexit.


Author(s):  
Amidu Owolabi Ayeni

Policy refers to the commitment of people or organization to the laws, regulations, and other green mechanisms concerning environmental issues. Community participation has become important in government, policy makers, and environmentalists over last few decades, and as a result, it is now an established principle as it is widely used not only in academic literature but in policy-making documents, international discussions, as well as in local debates when considering issues dealing with decision-making to achieve sustainable development. Implementation of green policy and community participation programs through representatives—organization, groups of individuals—enhances the benefits of polices and program and adds value to policy as well as making the policy's results and responses more effective and stronger.


Author(s):  
Andrea Lenschow

This chapter focuses on the European Union’s environmental policy, the development of which was characterized by institutional deepening and the substantial expansion of environmental issues covered by EU decisions and regulations. Environmental policy presents a host of challenges for policy-makers, including the choice of appropriate instruments, improvement of implementation performance, and better policy coordination at all levels of policy-making. The chapter points to the continuing adaptations that have been made in these areas. It first considers the historical evolution of environmental policy in the EU before discussing the main actors in EU environmental policy-making, namely: the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, the Court of Justice of the European Union, and environmental interest groups. The chapter also looks at the EU as an international actor.


Author(s):  
Wies Vullings ◽  
Jandirk Bulens ◽  
Dennis Walvoort

To date, use of the full potential of geo-information is not often applied in the daily practice of policy makers. The main questions explored by this research are: Why is geo-information not widely used in policy and how can this be improved? A conceptual framework was developed to evaluate the use of geo-information. For five cases, the use of geo-information was evaluated by means of this framework. The results of the evaluation, as well as the usefulness of the framework, are discussed. Recommendations on spatial thinking and practice, availability and quality of a spatial data infrastructure and implementation of new geo-applications in policy-making are also made.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 152-167
Author(s):  
Sheryl Green ◽  
Paul Pace

Policymakers’ understanding of the holistic nature and implications of sustainable development (SD) determines a nation’s commitment to sustainability. The study involved in-depth interviews with 20 policymakers. The study identified underlying interconnections between policymakers’ perceptions, commitment and awareness of SD and whether they developed the necessary values and attitudes required to promote sustainability at both local and national levels. These findings provided reflections for the development of Education for Sustainable Development programmes targeting policy makers to expedite implementation of SD in Malta.


Author(s):  
Ève Fouilleux ◽  
Matthieu Ansaloni

This chapter focuses on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which has long been of symbolic importance to the European integration process. The CAP, which came into force from 1962, is based on three general principles: market unity, Community preference, and financial solidarity. The chapter first considers the early days of CAP and the issue of CAP reform before discussing the policy's objectives, instruments, actors, and debates. It then explains the evolution of the CAP since the 1960s and asks why the CAP has been so problematic for European policy-makers, why CAP has been so resistant to change, and how CAP reform has come about. This chapter also examines some of the challenges facing agricultural policy, as new debates emerge among citizens on the place and the functions performed by agriculture. Particular attention is given to rural development and environmental, transparency, and equity issues.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document