Environmental Policy in the European Union

This text presents a comprehensive and systematic investigation of the effectiveness of environmental policy within the European Union at the dawn of the 21st century. The development of environmental policy, including the policy-making process, is analyzed from an historical perspective. The authors then examine implemantation and enforcement, and present a critical appraisal of the impact of environmental policy throughout Europe. Key issues discussed include: trade and the environment; environmental protection and the maintainance of industrial competitiveness; agriculture and the environment; energy and environmental policy; transport and the environment; and tourism and the environment. The authors provide insight into the problems of reconciling differing national interests and present a number of proposals for environmental policy in the future. They conclude that what is required for effective environmental policy is not more radical measures, but the opportunity for the measures already in place to be effectively implemented.