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Over the last decade, innovative governance architectures have been progressively promoted across European Union (EU) environmental and climate policies with the purpose of improving the effectiveness of intervention through better cross-sectoral policy integration and increased involvement of sub-state and non-governmental actors in the policy process. By combining the theoretical insights of polycentric governance and the concept of usage, the case of the Covenant of Mayors (CoM) is analysed to uncover the extent to which this voluntary programme has empowered local authorities within the EU strategy for sustainable energy by encouraging coordination and learning. This illustrates how a range of policy variables determined the dynamics of the programme's implementation in Italy and the United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulrich Beck characterized the transition from modern to late modern society as a shift from an industrial to a 'risk society.' Contemporary society is challenged by negative side effects ('risks') of modernization, including the increasing and imminent threat of global climate change. This article will test the validity of conceivable prescriptive elements associated with this sociological theory. In doing so, it will focus on the most recent legal developments aimed at tackling climate change within the EU. This paper finds that the precautionary approach is unable to sufficiently shape balanced legal intervention in this day and age. However, the approach adopted by the EU appears to be more successful in this respect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An essential component of the European Union's environmental policy is its participation in international legally binding instruments. Owing to the shared nature of its competence, the Union is most commonly a party to multilateral treaties alongside the Member States. This arrangement, however, is not without its inherent difficulties. The article examines the key stages of the procedure, as laid down in the Treaties and demonstrated by practice: the Commission recommendation to open negotiations, the Council authorization, the negotiating process, and the signing and conclusion of the agreement. The study reveals that the procedure is fraught with tension on two levels. First, each of the EU institutions involved strives to maximize its influence on the final outcome. The European Parliament warrants special attention due to its newly expanded powers. Second, the Member States are unwilling to take the back seat, especially in the sphere of climate talks. As a result, the Union still has recourse to pre-Lisbon practices and is yet to resolve its internal coordination issues in order to achieve its ambition of global leadership in environmental matters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

El artículo analiza decretos y sentencias en Derecho de Medio Ambiente de la Unión Europea (UE), España y Portugal emitidos entre diciembre de 2013 y marzo de 2014. Los temas tratados incluyen la directiva 2014/52/UE sobre evaluación del impacto de proyectos en el medio ambiente, la aprobación del Programa Estatal de Prevención de Residuos 2014-2020 de España y la ordenanza no. 40/2014 de Portugal sobre manejo de residuos de la construcción y demolición para protección del medio ambiente.

In this essay, I address the different approaches of the EU and the WTO to the trade and environment conflict and find out in how far the present environmental policy of the EU is compatible with the conditions of the WTO's Art XX GATT. Therefore, I first establish the current level of environmental protection in the EU by analysing the standard aimed for by the EU and its realization in legislation and jurisprudence. To show how environmental protection works in practice, I analyse selected case law and show how EU courts treat trade restrictions on environmental grounds enacted by Member States. Having evaluated the current standard of the EU, I proceed to compare the result with the WTO. I briefly explain institutional environmental developments within the GATT 1947, important environmental cases before the establishment of the WTO 1994 and textual changes in the new WTO Agreement. I then evaluate how Art XX GATT is dealt with in key case law and simultaneously compare this to the results of my analysis of similar EU cases. To conclude, I give a brief outlook on pending cases and a summary of the results of my study in both the EU and the WTO ambit. I point out some important differences in legal texts and case law and finally come to give a negative answer to my initial question. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the Ombudsman's decision making with regard to European Union (EU) environmental protection. It analyzes the roles of the Ombudsman in the Union configuration as well as his environmental record. It also discusses ways in which environmental complaints have influenced the locus of the Ombudsman in the EU.

The European Union has become an important leader in international environmental affairs - particularly through the negotiation of multilateral environmental agreements ( MEAs) with favourable terms. In this article, EU environmental leadership is studied from a new perspective, focusing on the ratification stage of environmental regime formation. Specifically, it investigates whether the EU is also capable of motivating third states to join its preferred MEAs. It is argued that third states join the EU's preferred MEAs to signal their compliance with EU environmental standards in an effort to become eligible for various rewards that the EU could potentially offer, including a credible membership perspective, access to its lucrative markets, and aid and assistance. The argument is tested by examining the ratification behaviour of 25 non- EU Member States with regard to all 21 MEAs negotiated under the auspices of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe ( UNECE). The results provide robust support for the theory that EU rewards motivate third states to ratify these treaties. The results withstand a number of statistical tests, even when alternative explanatory factors such as trade intensities, transnational communication and geographic proximity are controlled for. The study is the first large-scale demonstration of the EU's external influence at the ratification stage of environmental regime formation. By identifying three different channels of EU influence, the research permits a more refined understanding of the EU's role as a promoter of environmental protection standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the emergence of a decentralized institutional complex, interplay management, and the institutional interplay between the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the EU in the issue area of environmental shipping policies. It shows that the synergistic relationship between both institutions has been driven primarily by commitment and compliance mechanisms. By influencing IMO decision-making and improving the implementation and effectiveness of IMO conventions, the EU has become a driving force in international environmental shipping policies, and its new initiatives may even enhance its leadership role within the IMO in the future. Despite the still-existing lack of cognitive leadership by the EU, the synergies between both institutions provide evidence for the EU's leadership capacities in global environmental politics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the informal division of labour in the European Union's (EU's) external environmental policy-making. It focuses on informal arrangements in the EU co-ordination and representation processes with regard to the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) and international climate negotiations. Whereas the rotating Presidency is formally in charge of leading the internal EU co-ordination and representing the EU externally, we see that in practice an informal system is used, in which member states and Commission officials informally ‘take the lead’. Based upon new-institutionalist insights, this article argues that four functional reasons explain the informality in the EU's external environmental policy-making: burden sharing; expertise pooling; involving member states; and guaranteeing continuity. Moreover, once the informal arrangement is in place, actors in the EU keep using it because they act path-dependently and because it is considered the most appropriate way to act in many international environmental negotiations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In the conditions of mondial economy globalization and the Romanian alignment of UE requirements, on the electrical energy market it is necessary to deliver services and productions at high quality level. Lignite sector is characterized by increasing technological careers due to rehabilitation technological lines landfill and improve career technology and infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the role of EU pollution strategies in reducing SO2 and NOX emissions in the EU. The environmental policies impact on the slope of Kuznets environmental curve is discussed. The use of economic mechanisms for SO2, NOX and other pollutants emission reduction is analysed based on experience of EU member states. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the impact of EU pollution reduction strategies on atmospheric emissions in Lithuania and to define the role of EU emission reduction policies on shifting environmental Kuznets curves of EU member states and Lithuania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article considers the impact of the infringement action under Art. 228(2) of the EC Treaty in assisting in the enforcement of EC environmental law. Its entry into force in November 1993 introduced for the first time in EC law the possibility of financial sanctions being imposed on EU Member States by the European Court of Justice over persistent failures on their part to adhere to Community law. One might have thought that Member State performance on implementing EC environmental legislation would have improved as a result, the threat of substantial financial sanctions serving as an effective deterrent against non-compliant state behaviour. However, experience has indicated that any initial optimism in the new infringement procedure has been misplaced in this regard. The evidence suggests that in many instances Member States have not been deterred continuing to delay or obstruct the correct implementation of EC environmental obligations into national law and practice. In analysing the evolution of law and practice of the procedure and in particular its impact on litigation over breaches of environmental law over the last decade, this article questions whether the penalty infringement procedure under Art. 228(2) has proved itself fit for purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides information on several directives on environmental law by the European Commission. The commission has enacted the issue on the maximum residue levels of kresoxim-methyl, cyromazine, bifenthrin, metalaxyl and azoxystrobin. On the other hand, the commission provides agri-environment support to farmers who participate in an agreement to carry out their activities beyond the usual farming practice which is to farm in an environmentally-friendly manner. It is also planning to implement agri-environment measures within a broader context.

Is the "Directive on Environmental Liability with regard to prevention and remedying of environmental damage" justified under the subsidiarity principle? This article examines the pros and cons of arguments submitted by recognised lawyers, non-governmental organisations and industry on the one hand to show whether the agreed Directive complies with the principles of subsidiarity as set out in the Treaty establishing the European Community (ECT) but on the other that the Community institutions have failed in their duty to adequately observe the application of the subsidiarity principle. The author draw two conclusions: the subsidiarity principle remains a "dynamic concept" and the Commission, Parliament and Council have collectively failed to acquit themselves of their duty to justify the Directive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on developments related to European environmental laws, compiled as of June 2004. Strategy for a European action plan for organic food and farming; European Union strategy to reduce atmospheric emissions from seagoing ships; Unique identifiers for genetically-modified foods; Control of organisms harmful to plants and plant products in the French overseas department.

Opinion. Comments on the difference in attitude between the institutions of the European Union and their equivalents in the United Kingdom to environmental protection. Tahiti inhabitants' challenge to the European Commission's decision not to interfere with the French nuclear tests at Muroroa; Direct and individual concern in English administrative law; Opposition to the M3 extension through Twyford Down near Winchester.

Provides information on a review of some of the European Union's (EU) environmental policies. Background of the Environmental Action Program (EAP) of the EU; Importance of the 1986 Single European Act; 5th EAP of EU entitled `Toward Sustainability'; Evaluation of the environmental policies.

The article presents updates on the environmental policy of European Union (EU) countries as of July 2015. It notes on the two decisions to ratify the second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol, the so-called Doha amendment, adopted by the Council of the EU on July 13, 2015. A proposal called COM(2015)337 was published by the European Commission for a Directive amending the EU emissions trading system (ETS) on July 15, 2015.

This article focuses on the adoption of a Communication by the European Commission on February 9, 2005, that sets out future policies of climate change. This includes a set of proposals designed to structure the future negotiations of the European Union (EU) with its global partners over climate change policies after 2012, when the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol ends. These proposals open the door to bringing on board both major emitters and also rapidly emerging economies. The document stresses that the transition to a climate-friendly society offers economic opportunities for the EU.

Reports on the controversy over the the European Union's policy on chemicals. History of the controversy; Debate on which bodies were to be responsible for the legislation; Rejection of and objections to the policy in industrialized countries including the U.S.; Features of the proposed Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals system.

Presents a resolution recognizing the right to drinking water of member states of the European Union adopted by the European Council on Environmental Law on January 17, 2004. Key stipulations of the resolution; Legal precedents; Implications on environmental policy and law.