ABSTRACT
For about 30 years, the European Union (EU) has developed an increasingly comprehensive environmental policy. Although the EU has a primary commitment to building a common market, and may therefore be expected to focus on the removal of trade-inhibiting environmental regulations, EU environmental policy has proved to be quite resistant against such a ‘race to the bottom’ and actually improved the level of regulatory protection in many instances (Scharpf, 1998; Eichener, 1996). Despite these efforts, and despite the relatively high technological, financial, and administrative capacities in Europe, the actual impact of the EU environmental policy remains disappointing. Notwithstanding some success stories, such as measures for the protection of the ozone layer, the ecosystems in Europe and biodiversity remain threatened. In a recent publication, the European Environment Agency finds the European state of the environment ‘far from satisfactory’ (European Environment Agency, 1999).
