Environmental politics in the European Union

This book provides an introduction into the development, the making and the implementation of European Union environmental politics. It employs a clear and accessible analytical perspective based on the theoretical state-of-the-art of EU policy Studies

This book provides an introduction into the development, the making and the implementation of European Union environmental politics. It employs a clear and accessible analytical perspective based on the theoretical state-of-the-art of EU policy Studies

This book provides a comprehensive introduction to the development, making and implementation of European Union environmental politics and identifies the central areas and instruments of EU environmental policy. It analyses the factors influencing not only the formulation but also the implementation of environmental measures in the complex multi-level setting of the EU. On this basis, it takes a critical look at the EU’s effectiveness and problem-solving capacity in the environmental field.Designed as a textbook at undergraduate and graduate level, the book employs a clear and insightful analytical perspective based on the theoretical state-of-the-art of EU policy studies. Thus, it provides an overview of the major theoretical approaches available in the field. At the same time, the discussion is illustrated by a broad range of empirical findings with regard to the formulation and implementation of EU environmental policy.This study is an ideal companion for anyone seeking a concise and accessible introduction into EU environmental politics.

1. Introduction and historical overview: the establishment of environmental policy as a European policy domain2. Patterns of regulation3. Central institutions and actors4. Political processes and decision-making procedures5. Typical interest constellations and patterns of interaction6. Making EU environmental policy in practice: three case studies7. Implementation effectiveness of EU environmental policy8. Strategies to improve implementation effectiveness: ‘new’ environmental policy instruments as a panacea?9. The implementation of EU environmental policy in the UK, France, Germany and Spain10. Taking stock: the environmental problem-solving capacity of the EU11. Conclusions