ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the promotion of sustainable development in the EU. It begins by looking at the EU’s strong declaratory commitment and then pays attention to the policy and strategy documents that frame the EU’s efforts. What is meant by ecological modernization is then explored, and why it has taken hold within the EU and its relation to sustainable development. The distinctive features of the EU’s understanding of sustainable development are outlined, and how that understanding differs from the more fundamental changes envisaged by the Brundtland Report. Examination of efforts to meet the challenge of environmental policy integration at the sectoral level provides insight into the difficulties surrounding implementation efforts. While implementation may be weak, there is still need to understand the significance of the EU’s commitment.
