The Draft Constitution for Europe and the environment – the impact of institutional changes, the reform of the instruments and the principle of subsidiarity

Abstract:

This article presents an analysis of the draft Treaty as submitted by the Convention on the Future of Europe in July 2003. Issues which at first sight may not appear closely related to the environment, can, in fact, be expected to have crucial implications for EU environmental policy in the long term. The authors identify potential environmental implications and key opportunities for future improvement and point out some of the most important institutional provisions of the draft European Constitution which are likely to have environmental repercussions and yet could be revised as a result of the ongoing negotiations among Member State governments.