Environmental policy in the European Union, 2nd ed.

Abstract:

Since the first edition the EU has experienced enlargement to ten new Member States of Central and Eastern Europe, and at the same time has evolved an environmental policy that is seen to have increasing influence beyond the boundaries of the EU. This second edition builds on the earlier work, responding to the increasing appetite of both the general public and the policy-maker for more information on the decisions made relating to environmental policy.

The work is organised in five parts. Part one deals with the historical and institutional context and addresses the important contingent effects of the Treaty of Nice and the potential impact of the changed voting patterns. Part two addresses the role of ‘actors’, exploring such issues as the growing influence of the ‘green’ Member States and environmental groups within the EU, as well as the part played by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) and the European Parliament. Part three turns to the dynamics of environmental policy making and the interface between the rules and institutions and the actors. It comments upon issues such as veto players and the extent to which EU environmental policy has affected behaviours among the Member States. Part four explores the making of EU environmental policy involving agenda setting and bargaining, with particular attention given to the increasing confrontation between the EU and the United States. Part five looks at the way ahead, with comments upon both the challenges and opportunities. Undoubtedly the challenge riding above all others is the need to adjust to the new progressive approach to the environment through sustainable development and to see that reflected in all policy sectors.

The work will interest scholars, students, researchers and policy-makers engaged in environmental studies or politics.

Andrew Jordan is a lecturer in the School of Environmental Sciences at the University of East Anglia, and a programme manager in the Centre for Social and Economic Research on the Global Environment (CSERGE), Norwich.