ABSTRACT
As a source of environmental law, the EC has developed two main aspects. Firstly, as previously discussed, it produces secondary legislation mainly in the form of directives which impose legal obligations upon States. Secondly, and very significantly, since 1972 it has had in place a Europe-wide environmental policy in the form of Action Programmes which set various proposals for action in the field to be achieved over a prescribed timescale, usually about five years. The Action Programmes take the form of resolutions by the Council of the European Communities and the representatives of the governments of Member States. Although not legally enforceable, a Member State which has agreed to the Action Programme cannot deny the need for action in the area concerned.
