Integrated Resource Management — Lessons for Europe?

Abstract

This article argues that in order to facilitate integration it is desirable to look at various spheres or contexts for integration within the legal framework. Different integration aspects deserve attention and the article draws upon the New Zealand experiences with integrated resource management legislation. Integrated resource management is a key component in the New Zealand Resource Management Act which was adopted in 1991. Taking a resource management perspective means that the environment rather than sectoral) activities is in focus — expressed by the “effects-based” approach of the RMA. Taking a legal or regulatory perspective means that the integration of different measures or instruments to protect the environment is a central theme. This could be termed instrumental integration. However, other integration aspects as mentioned above are relevant in a legal and regulatory context. These include cross-media integration and cross-agency integration horizontal and vertical). The structure of this article is first to point out different integration aspects and the need to focus on such aspects in the legal framework. The article then explores the key components of integrated resource management in a New Zealand context, and finally returns to the relevance of such a concept in a European context. While the European context encompasses the Community level as well as the national level of Member States and Associated States, environmental legislation of individual Member States will not be touched upon. At both levels, however, it is necessary that the design and implementation of law pays attention to the ways in which a goal of integration can be achieved.