Environmental Protection in an Expanding European Community: Lessons from Past Accessions

The EU has transformed environmental policymaking for the states of Europe. Over time, but especially since the Single European Act came into force in 1987, the competencies of the European Community (EC) in environmental policymaking have expanded tremendously. The EU has taken a relatively active role in addressing various global environmental issues, such as climate change, the promotion of renewable energies and sustainable development. The European Community issued its first Environmental Action Programme in 1973. Initially, environmental regulations were enacted largely out of concerns about trade and competition. The European Commission, with its headquarters in Brussels, is responsible for the development of environmental action plans, regulations and directives, as well as their implementation. The near doubling of the number of EU member states in the coming years will mean that there will be further major alterations to decisionmaking rules and coalitional politics.