NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF: THE EUROPEAN UNION HARI SRINIVAS ROOM: I-312 / 079-565-7406...
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Transcript of NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF: THE EUROPEAN UNION HARI SRINIVAS ROOM: I-312 / 079-565-7406...
NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF:
THE EUROPEAN UNION
HARI S RINIVASROOM: I -312 / 079 -565 -7406
International Environmental Policy
28 Countries of the European Union
Of the 47 countries that are located in Europe, 28 form the European Union
23 Official Languages
The Treaties – Basis for democratic cooperation built on law
1952The European Coal and Steel
Community (ECSC)
1958The treaties of Rome:
The European Economic Community(EEC)
The European Atomic Energy Community(EURATOM)
1987The Single
European Act
1993Treaty on European
Union – Maastricht1999
Treaty of Amsterdam
2003Treaty of Nice
2009Treaty of Lisbon
“Europe”?
European Commission (including Environment)
Council of MinistersEuropean ParliamentEuropean Court of
Justice (ECJ)
“EUROPEAN
UNION”
28 Member
Countries
Enlargement – from 6 to 27 countries
1952
1973
1981
1986
1990
1995
2004
2007
Fall of Berlin Wall – end of Communism in Central and Eastern EuropeEU economic help begins: PHARE program
Criteria set for a country to join the EU:• democracy and rule of law• functioning market economy• ability to implement EU laws
Formal negotiations on enlargement begin
Copenhagen summit agrees enlargement
10 new EU members: Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia
1989
1993
1998
2002 2004
2007 Bulgaria and Romania join the EU
Candidates:Croatia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Iceland, Turkey
© R
eu
ders
The Big Enlargement – healing the division of Europe
The Lisbon treaty – taking Europe into the 21st century
The Treaty will make the European Union:
More efficient Simpler processes, full-time president for the Council.
More democratic Stronger role for the European Parliament and national parliaments, "Citizens Initiative", Charter of Fundamental Rights.
More transparent Clarifies who does what, greater public access to documents and meetings.
More united on High Representative for Foreign Policy. the world stage
More secure New possibilities to fight climate change and terrorism, secure energy supplies.
Celebrating the European Union -A Half Century of Change and Progress
Since the creation of the EU half a century ago, Europe has enjoyed the longest period of peace in its history.
European political integration is unprecedented in history.
EU enlargement has helped overcome the division of Europe – contributing to peace, prosperity, and stability across the continent.
A single market and a common currency benefit companies and consumers.
EU has united the citizens of Europe – while preserving Europe’s diversity.
European UnionUnited in diversity
The Single Market - freedom of choice
Four freedoms of movement:
4 goods
4 services
4 people
4 capital
© G
ett
y Im
ag
es
Has led to:
• significant reductions in the price of many products and services, including internet access and airfares.
• 40% drop in price of phone calls from 2000-2006
• 2.8 million new jobs
Why should the EU get involved?
Many areas of life have a regional as well as national focus
The environment and social policy are two such areas
International agreements on the environment, e.g. Kyoto Protocol
There is greater importance because of the EU’s enlargement
Why should the EU get involved?
If one member state’s environment becomes degraded, it affects other member states, e.g. pollution from the seas or air
Identifies areas requiring EU actionGathers information and debatesReaches agreement amongst member states
EU Action
What then?
It issues a ‘Directive’ or an instruction to member states’ governments to take action
The member states make law to enforce the EU’s Directive
The EU reports on progress made
The whole process depends on detailed negotiation and debate at EU level
Members reach an agreement
Some members may receive special exemptions
Obligations of Member States
Directives converted into legally binding domestic law
Practical application of these norms in individual situations
Enforcement in the event that laws are broken
EU“Directive
s”
Objectives of EU environmental policy
Article 174(1) of EC Treaty
preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment
protecting human healthprudent and rational utilisation of natural
resourcespromoting measures at international level
to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems
Principles of EU environmental policy
high level of protection precautionary principle principle of preventive
action principle of rectification
at source polluter pays principle
Principles of Sustainable
Development
Environmental Action Programmes
Environmental Principles
The Polluter Pays Principle Industry should pay the true costs of its methods of production is necessary
Principle of prevention Action to be taken to protect the environment at an early stage
The proximity principle
The best place to deal with a problem is as close to that problem as possible
Precautionary Principle ’It is better to be safe than sorry. ’
High Level of Protection Principle
High level of protection must be integrated into all policies and action
The integration principle
Environmental objectives must be integrated in other policy sectors
Substantive environmental law
GeneralAirWaterWasteChemicalsBiodiversity/Nature
conservationBiotechnologyNoiseIndustrial riskIntegrated pollution
controlEco-labeling and auditsClimate
Over 400 pieces of
legislation altogether!!
Procedural environmental law
Main instruments used:
Integrated environmental permits (IPPC)Environmental impact assessment (EIA)Strategic environmental assessment (SEA)Environmental management and audit (EMAS)Freedom of access to environmental informationPublic participation in environmental decision-
makingAccess to justice in environmental matters
From Policy to Action
1. Legislative instruments
2. Market-based instruments
3. Supporting instruments (tecnical instruments)
4. Financial support mechanisms
EU Directives
EUEnvironmenta
l Policy
Market Based Instruments
• Environmental leavies • Tradable emission permits • Deposit-refund systems • Enforcement incentives • Financial aid • Industry agreements • Environmental liability
• Eco-label • Eco-taxes • Eco-audit • Liability
Industry
Energy
Transport
Agriculture
Tourism
The Future
Europe’s challenges vary Balance of economically emerging eastern
Europe and advanced/developed western Europe
Europe’s role in global governance, particularly the United Nations
International immigration to Europe
Environment
Common political ideals
Regional level problems
Challenges for the Future
Unequal economic development
Structural reforms and unemployment
Weak administrative capacity
High cost of environmental regulations (est. EUR 120 bn over 10 years)
“Environment one of most difficult
areas for accession negotiations”
Challenges for
the Future
Newcomers and New Eco Problems
10 newcomers of the EU
• Cyprus• Estonia• Hungary• Latvia• Lithuania• Malta• Poland• The Czech Republic • Slovakia• Slovenia
Reported themes of accession
• Air quality• Waste• Water quality• Nature conservation• Industrial pollution, risk
management• Chemicals• GMO’s• Nuclear safety• Noise emission• Horizontal legislation• Administrative capacity
Contact me …
Prof. Hari SrinivasRoom: I-312
Tel: 079-565-7406Email: [email protected]
Class website:
http://www.gdrc.info/iep