Evolution of the Environmental Policy of the European Union: Stages, Actors and Trends

Abstract

AbstractThe purpose of this article is to analyze the features of the formation and evolution of the EU sustainable development policy, to assess the influence of internal and external actors on its formation. The European Union is one of the main actors in the global sustainability policy. The ecological crisis gave an impetus to the formation of an environmental protection policy, the development of the discourse of the “quality of life” of the population, which gradually transformed into a modern strategy for the sustainable development of the region based on green technologies. The current EU sustainability policy comes down to a policy of environmental modernization, which is a transition to a new level of technological development of the social system without a radical transformation of existing social institutions. The main stages of the establishment and development of the EU sustainable development policy are reflected in the EU Environmental Action Programs. An analysis of the Environmental Action Programs reveals three stages in the development of the EU’s sustainable development policy. Environmental economic growth is becoming the dominant idea of sustainable development. Since 2012, sustainable development policies have been heavily influenced by the concepts of a green economy and environmental transformation. The European Commission plays a key role in implementing sustainable development policies. The European Parliament and the Council of Ministers of the EU carry out deliberative and legislative functions. Their activities are greatly influenced by diverse groups of actors, which pursue their own goals.KeywordsEUEnvironmental protection policySustainable developmentGreen economyEnvironmental modernizationPost growth