This essay seeks to shed light on the role of the Federal Republic of Germany in EU environmental policy-making. In order to achieve this, the structure of this essay is threefold. First of all, a short introduction is given, outlining the history of EU environmental legislation until present day. In a second step, Germany’s possibilities and efforts towards uploading its environmental policy (Umweltpolitik) in EU legislation processes are analyzed. Here, special attention will be paid to Germany’s efforts in the field of climate change within the European Commission (hereafter: Commission), the Council of the European Union (hereafter: Council), and the European Parliament (hereafter: EP). Finally, the findings are summarized and analyzed, looking at future prospects.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The history of EU environmental policy-making processes
- Germany's role in EU policy-making against climate change
- Germany's influence on the European Commission
- Germany's influence on the Council
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay aims to illuminate the Federal Republic of Germany's role in shaping EU environmental policy. It achieves this by first outlining the historical development of EU environmental legislation. Secondly, it analyzes Germany's strategies and efforts in integrating its national environmental policies into the EU legislative framework, particularly focusing on climate change initiatives within the Commission, Council, and European Parliament. Finally, it summarizes the findings and analyzes future prospects.
- The historical evolution of EU environmental policy.
- Germany's national environmental policies and their influence on EU legislation.
- The role of the European Commission, Council, and Parliament in EU environmental decision-making.
- Germany's strategies for influencing EU climate change policies.
- Analysis of Germany's success in shaping EU environmental policy and future prospects.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: This introductory section sets the stage by discussing the generally positive nature of EU environmental policy discussions compared to other areas of EU legislation. It highlights the EU's high degree of competence in environmental matters despite minimal resistance from member states. However, it acknowledges the complexity and occasional obscurity of decision-making processes within the EU legislative apparatus. The essay's objective is clearly stated: to shed light on Germany's role in EU environmental policy-making, focusing specifically on climate change within the Commission, Council, and Parliament. This introduction effectively establishes the context and scope of the research.
The history of EU environmental policy-making processes: This chapter traces the evolution of EU environmental policy from its marginal role in the early years of European integration to its development into an independent policy area. It highlights the significance of the 1974 Paris summit and the subsequent Environment Action Programmes (EAPs) in establishing a strategic orientation for EU environmental policy. The chapter also discusses the legal basis provided by the Maastricht and Lisbon Treaties, underscoring the increasing importance of environmental considerations in EU law. The incorporation of combating climate change as a specific objective, particularly after the Lisbon Treaty amendments, is emphasized. Further, the chapter explores the challenges posed by the eastward enlargement of the EU in 2004 and 2007, particularly regarding the potential for lower environmental standards in less industrialized countries to maintain competitiveness. Despite initial concerns, the chapter notes that successful legislation of restrictive environmental laws actually increased after these enlargements, a trend that the paper explores further.
Germany's role in EU policy-making against climate change: This chapter delves into the specifics of Germany's influence on EU environmental policy, particularly in the area of climate change. It begins by highlighting the necessity for EU environmental policies to comply with the German Basic Law, while also noting the fragmented nature of German environmental law, dispersed across various federal acts implemented at the Länder level. The chapter then focuses on Germany's engagement with the three primary EU legislative bodies: the Commission, the Council, and the Parliament. The analysis acknowledges the complexities of pinpointing national influence within the Commission, given its independence and collective decision-making processes. The chapter considers evidence suggesting the Commission's tendency to favor smaller member states and the generally lower success rate of larger states (including Germany) in EU legislative negotiations. The chapter then moves on to examine Germany's influence on the Council, focusing on the strategies employed by member states to build coalitions to achieve qualified majorities. The analysis again confronts the seemingly counterintuitive success of smaller member states in policy bargaining within the Council.
Keywords
EU environmental policy, Germany, climate change, European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Parliament, Environment Action Programmes (EAPs), Maastricht Treaty, Lisbon Treaty, legislative processes, policy-making, national influence, qualified majority voting, environmental legislation.
Frequently Asked Questions: Analysis of Germany's Role in EU Environmental Policy
What is the overall subject of this text?
This text is a comprehensive language preview of an essay analyzing the Federal Republic of Germany's role in shaping EU environmental policy, with a particular focus on climate change initiatives within the European Commission, Council, and Parliament.
What topics are covered in the essay's table of contents?
The table of contents includes: an introduction; the history of EU environmental policy-making processes; and Germany's role in EU policy-making against climate change (further broken down into Germany's influence on the European Commission and Germany's influence on the Council).
What are the main objectives and key themes of the essay?
The essay aims to illuminate Germany's role in shaping EU environmental policy by outlining the historical development of EU environmental legislation, analyzing Germany's strategies for integrating national policies into the EU framework (especially regarding climate change), and summarizing findings and future prospects. Key themes include the historical evolution of EU environmental policy, Germany's national environmental policies and their influence, the roles of the EU Commission, Council, and Parliament, Germany's strategies for influencing EU climate change policies, and an analysis of Germany's success and future prospects.
What does the introduction to the essay cover?
The introduction sets the stage by discussing the generally positive nature of EU environmental policy discussions, highlighting the EU's high competence in environmental matters despite minimal member state resistance. It acknowledges the complexity of decision-making processes and clearly states the essay's objective: to analyze Germany's role in EU environmental policy-making, focusing on climate change within the Commission, Council, and Parliament.
What is covered in the chapter on the history of EU environmental policy-making processes?
This chapter traces the evolution of EU environmental policy from its early years to its development into an independent policy area. It highlights key events like the 1974 Paris summit and the Environment Action Programmes (EAPs), discusses the legal basis provided by the Maastricht and Lisbon Treaties, and explores the challenges posed by EU enlargement in 2004 and 2007, noting the surprising increase in restrictive environmental laws after these enlargements.
What does the chapter on Germany's role in EU policy-making against climate change discuss?
This chapter delves into the specifics of Germany's influence on EU environmental policy, particularly concerning climate change. It addresses the need for EU policies to comply with the German Basic Law, examines Germany's engagement with the Commission, Council, and Parliament, and analyzes the complexities of determining national influence within these bodies. It considers the challenges faced by larger member states like Germany in EU legislative negotiations.
What are the key words associated with this essay?
Key words include: EU environmental policy, Germany, climate change, European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Parliament, Environment Action Programmes (EAPs), Maastricht Treaty, Lisbon Treaty, legislative processes, policy-making, national influence, qualified majority voting, and environmental legislation.
- Quote paper
- Alexander Tutt (Author), 2013, EU Environmental Policy and the Role of Germany, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/275398
