Environmental Politics in the European Union : Policy-making, Implementation and Patterns of Multi-level Governance

This book provides a comprehensive introduction into the making, development and implementation of European Union (EU) environmental politics. The environmental policy of the EU has made impressive progress during the last three decades. Starting off as little more than a by-product of economic integration, it has developed into a central area of EU policy making. The book explores the driving forces behind this development, identifying the central areas and instruments of EU environmental policy, and 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, employing an analytical perspective based on the theoretical state of the art of EU policy studies. Thus, the book 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 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. Front matter Contents List of boxes, tables and figures Preface List of abbreviations Introduction and historical overview: the establishment of environmental policy as a European policy domain Patterns of regulation Central institutions and actors Political processes and decision-making procedures Typical interest constellations and patterns of interaction Making EU environmental policy in practice: three case studies Implementation effectiveness of EU environmental policy Strategies to improve implementation effectiveness: ‘new’ environmental policy instruments as a panacea? The implementation of EU environmental policy in the UK, France, Germany and Spain Taking stock: the environmental problem-solving capacity of the EU Conclusions References Index Provides a comprehensive introduction into the making, the development and the implementation of European Union (EU) environmental politics. This book analyses the factors influencing not only the formulation, but also the implementation of environmental measures in the complex multi-level setting of the EU. 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