ABSTRACT
Opportunities offered by the political context have decisively influenced the evolution of the Spanish environmental movement, in relation to both changes in its political tactics and strategies and the consolidation of its organisational base. The configuration of diverse environmental policy arenas has facilitated access of environmental movement organisations (EMOs) to the decision-making sphere. Consequently, conventional forms of participation have gained relevance within the political repertoire of EMOs which have increased their level of activities, coordination and expertise. Entering the polity has not been a linear process; rather, it has been marked by fluctuations due to the limited institutionalisation of the environment and the often-politicised nature of environmental policymaking processes. The process by which movements have been consolidated has also been shaped by their limited growth and ideologies. As well as providing an account of the development of environmental movements in Spain the study attempts to contribute to a general understanding of the link between political context and the activities and organisational dynamics of environmental movements.
