European environmental policy: The administrative challenge for the Member States

Book abstract:

This book studies in detail demands put on national administrations to comply with European environmental legislation. The first part describes the current organisational set-up of national environment ministries in the Member States and how they co-ordinate European Affairs. This refers to the needs of the daily policy-making process in Brussels and at home.

The second part, Towards effective environmental regulation: innovative approaches in implementing and enforcing European environmental law and policy, deals with the impact of European environmental legislation on national administrations. What are the basic requirements according to the different aspects of implementation? What are the most efficient approaches for implementing and enforcing European environmental policies? What should be the right mix between compliance incentives, compliance assistance and deterrent strategies? What is the role of the public in enforcement? How can compliance be measured? How are enforcement indicators established?

This publication identifies weaknesses in national co-ordination and organisational structures and makes proposals for improving implementation and enforcement of European environmental policy.

Christopher Demmke is Head of the Unit on European Public Management, European Institute of Public Administration. Martin Unfried is a lecturer at the European Institute of Public Administration.