ABSTRACT
The main strategy process in the European Union (EU) has been the development of the Fifth Environmental Action Programme (sometimes abbreviated to 5EAP) — Towards Sustainability: A European Community Programme of Policy and Action in Relation to the Environment and Sustainable Development (CEC, 1992a). Development of this programme was approved by the Council of Ministers on 1 February 1993. It followed resolutions by the European Parliament on 17 November 1992 and by the Economic and Social committee on 1 July 1992. An interim review of implementation was undertaken by the European Commission (CEC, 1994a), followed by a further progress report (CEC, 10 January 1996a). The European Commission has also made proposals for an action plan (CEC, 24 January, 1996b).
