EU Environmental policies – INTRODUCTION

It's been over three decades since the European Union adopted the first environmental
action program. From a sectoral approach, the Europeans have been the development of
sustainable development strategy, integrating all components of environment policies. The Union
has adopted more than 200 laws, developed a more complex system of tools to promote research
and technological innovation to find clean technology, developed eco-markets, tried to act in the
consumer behavior and production (valued today as a key determinant of systematic degradation
of the environment and ecosystems), was actively involved in global action towards economic
policy reorientation towards sustainable development in all countries.

A. Environmental policy - part of the European model of sustainable development

EU Sustainable Development Strategy has its legal foundation in Article 2 of Treaty of
Maastricht ( 1992) , under which Member States have as common goals " Promote a harmonious
and balanced development of economic activities throughout the Community , a sustainable and
non- inflationary growth respecting the environment , a high degree of convergence of economic
performance , a high level of employment and social protection , raising the level and quality of
life , economic and social cohesion and solidarity among Member States ". Defining in this way
for the establishment and operation of Community implied waiver of neo-classical liberal model
sitting on the Community method in the European construction by adding model specific
objectives of sustainable development: social security, convergence of economic performance,
environmental, and economic cohesion social solidarity.
The concept of sustainable development was developed by the World Commission
contribution on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission ) in 1987, and
essentially means " to meet current needs without compromising future generations a chance to
meet their own needs ". In subsequent years, the concept of sustainability has been embraced by
environmentalists , economists, sociologists differently , specific without an effort to integrate the
principles and objectives. Including the institutional aspects of sustainable development were
often reduced environmental issues in a unilateral approach . Five years later, in 1992 , United
Nations Conference on Environment and Development ( CNUED ) in Rio De Janeiro, together
with changes to the Maastricht Treaty of the European Communities , marked not only a political
commitment of the EU to move towards sustainable development globally but especially
promoted an integrated approach to linking environmental objectives with social and economic
environment in all European policies.

Doctrinal arguments of the theory of sustainable development

In terms of doctrine, theory of sustainable development are rooted in welfare economics and the
social market economy. Welfare economics is based on the distinction between private costs and

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social costs between the marginal productivity of private and social marginal productivity (Arthur
Cecil Pigou). The difference is the impact of economic activity on the environment it produces
(broadly ) and the effect of an act of consumption or production of an outside agent transaction
outdoor market. The effect is called externality (external effect ) and can be positive or negative,
as occurs utility or disutility . Externalities depend on the nature of activities and the environment
(economic, social, cultural , environmental ) in which they operate. The theory distinguishes
between individualized externalities (neoclassical ) when determining on which third parties can
be transmitted spillovers and externalities collective when environmental effects are transmitted.
According to the theory, whenever such effects occur, they must be internalized in order to bring
the private cost of social cost. Another key concept used both in welfare economics and in the
social market economy is the Pareto optimality . It is defined as the equilibrium one in which
welfare can be increased only by reducing the welfare of another. Occurs here a particular
political doctrine and a certain paradigm of organizing human societies synthesized by defining
the objective of maximizing the welfare of all social organization of consumers. How social
welfare overall (determined by society on political ) is not a simple sum of individual welfare
(determined and optimized by free markets ), the problem is to find out to what extent the
allocation of production factors by mechanisms ensure competition or achieve optimum Pareto. If
we take into account externalities , market imperfections, non -economic effects of free markets,
that is not enough to create an effective maximum output structure to optimize social welfare.
Economic policy is intended , therefore, to combine the efficiency of a market economy with non
- economics (solidarity, cohesion , equity ) - the specific values of social progress.
The production and consumption that characterizes modern society is considered as non-
durable, starting from just above considerations. Dictated by the efficiency and focused on
material values, quantitative or model promoted a short-term behavior, resulting primary use of
natural resources, increased social disparities and increasing development gap between nations.
Negative externalities (resource depletion, biodiversity loss, pollution, poverty, social alienation,
inequality, disparities in development) continuously increased social costs, both domestically and
internationally. In addition the impact on welfare should not be seen only in the present tense but
also in the social welfare of the generations of tomorrow, keeping current trends in production
and consumption risk undermining the chances of future generations to meet their needs.
Awareness of these risks has led since the second half of the new decade, a large international
cooperative movement, but especially in Europe, to integrate sustainability in economic policies.
That would mean that in principle, the economic policies of the " magic triangle" - economic
growth, social cohesion and environmental protection. Traditional economic policies focus on
macroeconomic stability and the functioning of markets . Social and environmental externalities,
negative impact on the social marginal product and cost-effectiveness , are explained by the very
weak integration of social and environmental dimensions of macroeconomic policy objectives . It
is true that there were a number of developments in social policy , particularly social market
economies in adopting and even applying environmental policies. But three aspects were recently
addressed until recently , a sectoral view. Adoption of sustainability requires that all policies are
developed and implemented according to the economic, social and environmental . In addition ,
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the internationalization of economies raises a number of requirements in applying this principle
not only in internal but external cooperation relations. Therefore, from the perspective of this
integrated approach is desirable for sustainability to become a catalyst for domestic and foreign
policy decisions , the economic and public actions to promote both structural reforms,
institutional and behavioral modification and production consumption.
To achieve this objective should first ensure consistency between the three coordinates -
economic growth, social cohesion and environmental protection - popular classic as conflicting
options: pursuing social cohesion requires an income redistribution policy, which limits the
growth sources, environmental requires the adoption of restrictive measures on the use of natural
resources and technology, producing distortions in the allocation factors based on economic
efficiency. To reconcile the three coordinates of sustainable development should be: ensuring
economic growth assumptions of social progress and environmental protection, social policy for
stimulating economic growth, environmental policy focuses on specific instruments market
economy, while effective and economic.
Secondly , the principle of sustainable development would require the adoption of
structural and institutional reforms to enable internal and external coherence of policies and
ensuring convergence of economic, social and political projects. The most important measures
that should be taken in this direction are: regulating a system of economic instruments to ensure
the integration of social and environmental protection into economic (prices, property rights,
taxes, tradable emission rights, grants, agreements negotiable ) reconsideration of the decision
making process to allow broad participation of civil society and decision makers at various levels,
creating and developing an information system the consequences of policies and actions to help
reverse current trends, non- sustainable development markets, public goods and environmental
goods and services, development of research towards technologies using less natural resources,
less polluting, low risk to the environment and the individual , the development of a system of
education and training / communication that create prerequisites for social dialogue, a transparent
decision making process in terms of individual and collective responsibility and a move towards
sustainability in consumer behavior and production sustainability criteria applied horizontally on
all economic policies, development of a system of indicators for the assessment regular, effective
sustainability policies and actions.
In European politics, environmental correlation with economic growth and social
cohesion in such a long-term vision has been gradual, the decisive moment Treaty
Amsterdam. Since then, the environmental strategies of the various specific programs or
complementary in their application, has become the key principle of integration. Applying the
principle was not consistent until the sixth action program for the environment and the adoption
in 2001 by the European Council in Göteborg "EU Sustainable Development Strategy"
confirmed, perhaps for decades, Central Community action scheme : environment as the third
pillar alongside economic and social. Moreover, the Constitutional Treaty has reinforced this
trend by Article II - 97 that" A high level of protection and improvement of environmental quality
should be integrated into EU policies and made according to the principle of sustainable
development ."
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 B. Principles underlying concept implementation SD (sustainable development)

Principles of Environmental
a) The principle of the cycle: the key element for the implementation of sustainable
development in the product design phase. The term covers all stages of the life cycle
environmental impacts associated them, including decision-making and is put into practice
through life cycle analysis - LCA (Life Cycle Assessment - LCA) .
b ) Control of pollution from past uses of the term, when pollution was simply monitored.
Technology arena "end of pipe " pollution control used in relation to issues arising from
discharges / emissions of pollutants from industrial sources. It is recognized that this approach is
only a temporary reprieve environmental issues, focusing on " capturing pollution "rather than
reduce it. According to this principle, pollution is reduced after it has been generated and
technologies with" end of pipe" and investigations included the nature and extent of
contamination . It should be recognized that this approach requires additional resources and costs
is in line with the vision of sustainable development.
c ) Recycling, Reuse and Regeneration is related terms often used to describe the same action.
Recycling (EPA ) is a resource recovery method involving the collection and treatment of waste
in order to use it as raw material to produce the same product or similar. European strategy on
waste recycling and reuse distinguish between : reuse meaning using waste (different process ) as
feedstock without structural changes and recycling signifying structural changes in the same
process. Regeneration is the work of renewal of material to play the primary form used in the
same process or different one.
d ) Minimize resource has not yet established definition. The principle was built on the
realization that resources (raw materials, energy carriers, water reserves) will not be available
indefinitely and is perceived as a "request for reduction " applicable to any resource-consuming
activities. This would lead to the conservation, improvement and maintenance of their
availability.
e) Reducing sources defined (EPA ) as the practice of reducing the amount of materials entering
the waste stream from a specific source by rethinking the product or production and consumption
practices. According to the requirements defined, the term is "hidden" ( included) in the
definition of pollution prevention (which is still a broader concept).

Principles of Economic and Social

Along with environmentally oriented principles listed , sustainability implies an impartial
consideration of economic and social principles. Those principles have been placed here by"
resonance" immediate economic or social component, even if they are largely applicable - or
interface - environmental component. These include terms such as :
a) Deming Cycle
b ) Environmental Accounting
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c ) "polluter pays"
d ) Social Corporate Responsibility
e) Occupational Health and Safety
f ) The relationship with the public.

Ecological Principles
Industrial systems - or any artificial system rooted in the natural , and they have the basic
feature of interconnection between them. Ecological principles and then develops relationships
between natural systems are essential to their cohabitation . According sustainability vision they
will be applied to all systems connected directly or indirectly. Industrial symbiosis is part of
Industrial Ecology and the key elements that are characterized collaboration and ensuring
synergy opportunities provided by a geographically.

Environmental Strategies ( cluster )

The concept of environmental strategy ( cluster ) indicates the application of specific
practices that lead to increased economic performance. Includes: Eco- efficiency, cleaner
production, eco- design, green chemistry, life cycle analysis, minimizing losses .
a) Eco- efficiency (EE ) was often embedded in accepted definitions for clean production,
but all definitions have in common reducing material inputs and improving outcomes for the
public good (or "doing more with less" ) .
b ) Productions (more ) Cleaner (PC ) were launched in 1989, and the first definition were
extended to an orientation 'sustainable' actions and purpose . Managemnet strategy towards PC
aims at increasing productivity, energy -efficient implementation, material flow management , the
principle of prevention, sustainable use of natural capital and achieving compliance with legal
requirements.
c ) Eco- design ( or design for environment ) is a product development process that takes
into account the full life cycle of Prods and consider environmental issues at all stages of
promoting products with the lowest environmental impact throughout the life cycle. The
inclusion of the environmental dimension in product design and innovation boost their services .
d ) green chemistry as defined in 1998, is the design chemical products and processes that
reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances . In other words, reactions /
chemical processes must be designed or modified to be "clean" , but to keep the current standard
of living . The strategy of green chemistry are taken into account : the selection of raw materials /
reagents, alternative solvents, and catalysts use to ensure a high selectivity.
e) a life cycle analysis ( LCA ) is the method / process / tool for assessing environmental
effects that a product has on the lifetime and has the effect of increasing the efficiency of resource
utilization and reduce liabilities (post- product). References common to assume an analysis ACV
"cradle to grave" and has three main elements:

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 - Identification and quantification of "environmental load " (material and energy
consumption , emissions and waste)
- Assessing the potential impact of these " load " on the environment and
- Evaluating the options available for reducing these impacts. ACV also requires flow
accounting can be applied to production processes to products and services and even strategic
planning.
f) Minimizing losses is defined as the elimination or reduction to a feasible level, the
generated waste that otherwise would require further treatment, storage or disposal (EPA).
Includes any source reduction or recycling the one that generates about cutting waste volume or
toxicity or both.

C. Objectives and Principles

Underlying objectives of EU environmental policy was established by contributing Single
European Act and the Treaty of Maastricht. Under Article 174 , subject to strict compliance with
Community involvement subsidiarity , Community environmental objectives are:
- Preserving, protecting and improving the environment ;
- Protection of human health ;
- Prudent and rational utilization of natural resources;
- Promoting measures at international level to treat regional and global environmental problems.
Fixing these common objectives but does not prejudice the role of Member States. Environment
related to the divided skills and the Member States retain competence in the development,
implementation and financing of environmental policies, community actions are complementary
role, on the one hand to ensure harmonization within the EU - ordination of national policies and,
secondly, to support the enhancement of Member States and their impact. The principles used in
the development and implementation of EU environmental policy took shape gradually in the
institutional development of the PEM and the implementation of various community programs of
action (see below). According to the White Paper on environmental liability
(2000) present the application of PEM principles are:
- The principle of responsibility (called the "polluter pays" ) envisages the polluter to bear the
costs of pollution control measures established by the public authorities, the principle ensures
internalisation of environmental costs (pollution) in the economic and stems the theory of
externalities;
- The principle of preventive action, relying on the general rule that "it is better to prevent
than to fight " the principle that any decision about production and new investment projects relate
to anticipated environmental impact;
- The precautionary principle: assume that in the absence of certainty about cause-effect
relationship between an action and its impact on the environment, if a scientific assessment
provides sufficientarguments concerning a possible negative impact to the environment or health

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precautions to be taken, in applying this principle to the former, play an essential role social
accountability by public and private operators.
- The principle of correction , with priority source polluters consisting obligation to take steps to
eliminate the effects of pollution;
- The principle of proximity : is to encourage local communities to assume responsibility for
waste and pollution, the principle is based on the idea that the protection
primary responsibility lies with lower environmental levels of decision;
- The principle of high environmental protection : environmental policy states that the EU
pursues a high level of protection ( requires Community action to ensure the effectiveness of
environmental policies in Europe and beyond);
- Integration principle : assume that environmental objectives are taken into account in the design
and implementation of all EU policies that have an impact on the environment.
Complementary to specific principles of environmental policy can be specified as a number of
general principles important role in the development and application of PEM:
- The principle of efficiency , and that the adoption of environmental laws must subordinate the
cost - benefit , taking into account the opportunity cost;
- The principle of subsidiarity , seated at the Community institutional system operation. In
environmental policy , the primary responsibility lies with the Member States, the Community
intervening only to the extent that action at Community level is more effective;
- The principle of transparency requires the development of an effective system analysis and
information on the consequences of the action of various economic actors and the policies
adopted at EU level and in Member States;
- Informing principle , according to which citizens are entitled to obtain at any time on the quality
of the environment and to participate in decision making;
- The principle of consistency requires the development of coordination mechanisms/
harmonization between European, horizontal, between the different sector policies and vertically,
between decisions taken at EU, national, regional, local, so as to ensure complementarity and
generation tools synergies in achieving environmental objectives;
- The principle of cooperation. The application of environmental competence, the Community
and the Member States shall cooperate with third countries and international organizations. The
principle is based on the idea that environmental protection can be achieved only in domestic
context (taking into account environmental externalities beyond the Union's borders ) and that
should be taken into account the specific interests of developing countries. Union plays an
important role in negotiation and action on international environment, taking part in all major
cases. According to the Conclusions of the Barcelona European Council in 2002, Global
Partnership for the protection of the environment, with a special role for policy cooperation with
developing countries should pursue the following objectives: to limit climate change, in particular
through the Protocol commitments Kyoto and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate the
negative impact of the environment on health, responsible resource management, conservation
and improvement of biodiversity, limiting the negative impact of transport on the environment;

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- Reducing development gaps, combating poverty. The external strategy can be seen in the same
integrated approach to environmental issues by linking them with economic and social
objectives;
- The principle of cohesion. Cohesion is the European Union, as well as the environment, an
element of conditionality in the adoption and implementation of policies at all levels is a
mandatory part of the European strategy for sustainable development. Therefore, the PEM is also
subordinate cohesion objective. Article 174/3 of the EC (consolidated version ) states that in
preparing its policy on the environment, the Community shall take account of the specific
conditions in the various regions of member countries , the benefits and costs resulting from the
application or absence of environmental actions and the need to develop economic and social
development of the regions and the Community. In this regard, the Treaty provides for temporary
derogations for Member distressed law enforcement community and financial support from the
Cohesion Fund.

Main developments in the application of the principles of environmental policy at EU level are:
- Shift from ex -post approach to ex- ante approach;
- Orientation towards prioritizing prevention and precautionary principles , the principle of
"polluter - payer " (fashionable in the early years of the PEM) assuming the role of accountability
rather than insurance environment;
- Shift from a sectoral approach to a horizontal approach (environmental protection as a principle
of integration, the subordination of all European policy development , regardless of the level and
the adoption of environmental considerations);
- Inclusion in the category of environmental policy objectives (Article 2 of the EU Treaty);
- Increasing the role of individuals, both as producers and as consumers , through involvement in
decision-making documents, orientation to change attitudes , education, social empowerment;
- Increasing the external dimension as a result of awareness of the need for action at global
environmental problems.

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