European Community Environmental Policy: Issues, Instruments and Results

• Main Author: Luis Franco Sala
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDOB) 1996-12-01
• Series: Revista CIDOB d'Afers Internacionals
• Online Access: http://www.cidob.org/es/content/download/5795/55660/file/34-35franco.pdf
• ISSN: 1133-6595; 2013-035X

In this paper the author examines the tools for environmental protection within the European Community (EC), dating from the Treaty of Rome (1957) through to the European Community’s Fifth Program of Environmental Action, which includes proposals for up till the end of the century. Thus, the study covers the development of the budding environmental policy for Europe- first outlined in the 60’s, then continued on through the enlargement of the legal means featured in the Single Act(1986). For the first time in the EC by such Act, policies demanding environmental and consumer protection are introduced. The paper places further emphasis on the progress which the signing of the the Treaty of the European Union (1992) meant for EC environmental policy. Indeed, this Treaty regulates economic growth, as long as growth is accompanied by environmental protection and favors the quality of life. The Treaty also outlines measures designed to face regional and worldwide problems. This article highlights the repercussions that these regulations have upon existing Spanish codes as well as upon Spain’s position towardsenvironmental policy. Finally, the paper deals with issues contained in the European Community’s Fifth Program of Environmental Action spanning the years 1993-2000; Program carried out under the watchwords of sustainable development, and whose objectives are in accordance with both the report completed by the Global Commision on the Environment and Development and the conclusions drawn from the World Summit on the Environment in Rio de Janeiro (1992). This paper’s conclusions show that Europe’s community environmental policies have not, as yet, yielded satisfactory results.