Approaches to Policy Making
There are various ways in which EU environmental policy is made, resulting in the setting of environmental quality, emission or exposure standards aimed at reducing pollution and risks or impacts on human health. Policies also demand procedural changes, such as the introduction of environmental impact assessment or public consultation, to improve environmental protection.
EU policies have been adopted in all of these areas, using the standard 'Community method', with legislation proposed by the Commission and agreed by the Council and/or the European Parliament. However, the way in which such policy is formulated has been attracting increased attention, with emphasis being placed on greater information for and public participation in decision-making. The Commission's impact assessment for major initiatives and the thematic strategies in the area of environment provide examples of how the EU policy development process is changing.
Apart from changing the way legislation is developed, there is also growing interest in using 'softer' measures to secure policy change at the national level. The 'Open Method of Coordination' is thus being applied in increasing number of cases to support and coordinate national policies, particularly in areas where the EU's powers to act are limited. The method is being tested in the environmental field in relation to the Environmental Technologies Action Plan, within the broader confines of the Lisbon Strategy to make the EU the most dynamic and competitive economy.
IEEP undertakes in-depth assessments of the various approaches taken by the EU and by Member States in relation to the development of policy.
For interviews, comment and articles, please contact our policy specialists Partrick ten Brink, Marc Pallemaerts