Policy Strategies Within the Eu
POSITION PAPER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL GOVERNANCE
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states which are primarily based in Europe. The EU operates through a system of independent institutions and intergovernmental negotiated decisions by the member states. EU institutions include the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, the Court of Justice of the EU and the European Parliament (Pinder, 2008). The EU governs in a unique way, hence the ability to maintain a leading position in international negotiations. The EU holds great economic might (McCornmick, 2007). A number of countries along the margin of the EU such as Turkey now seek to join the EU (Pinder, 2008). This position paper focuses on ten specific environmental themes and includes the stance, policies and recommendations of the EU.
Climate mitigation
The European Union (EU) is said to be leading in the international struggle that governs climate change. A whole range of agreements have been discussed and signed by all of the EU’s state members. The EU’s climate change policy is based on a 20-20-20 package. By the year 2020 the EU aims to receive 20% of its energy from renewable sources, emissions should be reduced by at least 20% and energy consumption should also be reduced by 20%. If more industrial sectors agree with this policy, then emissions could possibly be reduced by 30%. All of the EU’s member states have now set targets to reduce emissions by the year 2020. The EU accounts for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Since the EU consists of twenty-seven (27) member states it covers a large geographical area, thus making a huge contribution to the reduction of world emissions (Jordan, 2010). According to EEA (European Environmental Agency) the EU should have an “Effort Sharing Decision” to reduce emissions from all sectors. I agree with this decision as climate mitigation cannot be achieved if the various sectors and
The European Union (EU) is an economic and political union of 27 member states which are primarily based in Europe. The EU operates through a system of independent institutions and intergovernmental negotiated decisions by the member states. EU institutions include the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Council, the Court of Justice of the EU and the European Parliament (Pinder, 2008). The EU governs in a unique way, hence the ability to maintain a leading position in international negotiations. The EU holds great economic might (McCornmick, 2007). A number of countries along the margin of the EU such as Turkey now seek to join the EU (Pinder, 2008). This position paper focuses on ten specific environmental themes and includes the stance, policies and recommendations of the EU.
Climate mitigation
The European Union (EU) is said to be leading in the international struggle that governs climate change. A whole range of agreements have been discussed and signed by all of the EU’s state members. The EU’s climate change policy is based on a 20-20-20 package. By the year 2020 the EU aims to receive 20% of its energy from renewable sources, emissions should be reduced by at least 20% and energy consumption should also be reduced by 20%. If more industrial sectors agree with this policy, then emissions could possibly be reduced by 30%. All of the EU’s member states have now set targets to reduce emissions by the year 2020. The EU accounts for about 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Since the EU consists of twenty-seven (27) member states it covers a large geographical area, thus making a huge contribution to the reduction of world emissions (Jordan, 2010). According to EEA (European Environmental Agency) the EU should have an “Effort Sharing Decision” to reduce emissions from all sectors. I agree with this decision as climate mitigation cannot be achieved if the various sectors and
References: European Commission, 2012: 2012 Blueprint to safeguard Europe’s water resources. European Commission, 1999: EU focus on clean air, Directorate General, Environment, Nuclear safety and Civil protection. European Commission, 2013: Legislation: the Marine Directive, Environment. European Commission, 2012: Sustainable agriculture for the future we want, European Union. EU Task force on Land Tenure, 2004: EU Land Policy Guidelines, Guidelines for support to land policy design and land policy reform processes in developing countries. Jordan, A., Huitema, D., Van Assely, H., Rayner, T. And Berkhout, F., 2010: Climate Change Policy in the European Union: Confronting the Dilemmas of Mitigation and Adaptation?, Cambridge University Press. McCormick, J. 2007: The European Union: Politics and Policies, Westview Press. Pinder, J. and Usherwood, S., 2008: The European Union: A very short introduction. Rayner, T. And Jordan, A., 2010: Adaptation to climate change: An Emerging EU Policy, University of East Anglia. Risso, S. 2013: Global deforestation-Europe faces up to its dirty secret, Greenpeace EU forests policy director.