Towards a new age of European environmental policy  [PDF version]

By David Baldock

The present phase of European environmental policy is one of review, challenge and testing. Regulatory scrutiny has been intensified, new measures are relatively infrequent and more often encounter concerns about costs, administrative burden and red tape. This is not wholly surprising after a long period of policy growth followed by economic stress and a Eurosceptic tide. The process of decision making and the reasons why measures have been introduced can be difficult to communicate. However, none of this implies a long retreat from a dynamic environmental policy. Nor does it mean that the public are unsympathetic to environmental goals or to addressing them at a European level. The Brexit debate in the UK for example, while it is far from over, has yet to suggest that the environment is a key point of contention.

The lack of support for environmental issues therefore is not the challenge to move forward again on the big issues. These range from the global, such as climate change and the better use of natural resources, to the more local integrally pressing, like air pollution in cities. In no way is addressing the environmental agenda incompatible with tough regulatory scrutiny, more sophisticated impact assessment, concern with efficient administration and enhanced focus on effective implementation. Several strands can be pursued together given the will and the resources to do so. A sense of urgency is necessary, however, and some of this has been lost despite the clear and accumulating evidence available such as the serious loss of biodiversity on a continental scale. NGOs and the media can make the case for action and more immediacy, but governments and politicians from all over Europe could and should be more proactive rather than waiting for the European Commission to move first.

Resources are also an issue. While promises have been made to help fund the transition to a low carbon world, many government agencies and public bodies have lost staff and large hunks of their budgets, making them less willing to contribute, or to embark on new initiatives or implement more costly measures. One alternative to regulation is increased use of incentives, but this is less likely to be feasible where public expenditure is tightly constrained. Making the case for sufficient resources as well as innovation will be critical for reviving progress and scaling up ambition. Stronger commitments will also be required from civil society and the private sector to mobilise the funds themselves. In addition, existing funds can be used to deliver more for sustainability; the Common Agricultural Policy, now under the spotlight, is a case in point.

Despite the challenging climate, there are still many opportunities for rejuvenation and fresh thinking across the whole policy horizon. This applies equally to IEEP! This is my last Newsletter editorial as Director of the Institute, although I will remain as an active Senior Fellow. Thank you to all of those I have worked with over the last thirty years (and longer) and I hope to keep in touch with many of you. I am delighted to welcome our new Director, Céline Charveriat, who has a strong background in development and climate change and has plenty to look forward to!