ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a brief overview of environmental policy and its administration in Denmark. It reviews the historical development of 'modern' environmental policy and also presents some main trends in environmental policies. The chapter assesses the actors and interests involved in environmental policies and their implications for policy formulation and focuses on the basic traits of Danish environmental administration. The development of new instruments and the increased European Union influence on Danish environmental policy have pushed the overall balance of powers and competencies in favour of the central level and has challenged the consultative style. However, the emphasis on decentralisation and consensus-seeking is still an important part of Danish environmental policy. Danish environmental policy is very decentralised compared to other countries. Danish environmental regulation of agriculture is better explained by J. Q. Wilson's model. One of the key elements of Danish environmental policy making and implementation is integration of affected interests in decision-making processes concerning environmental policies.
