The Evolution of Environmental Agreements at the Level of the European Union

Abstract

The European Community starts using the instrument of voluntary environmental agreements in the late 1980s. In 1996, a Commission Communication takes stock of existing experiences and outlines ideas for a more consistent Community approach. In 2002, the Commission issues a second Communication, this time dedicated exclusively to environmental agreements at Community level. It builds on comments and requests put forward by the Council and the European Parliament. The Communication takes account of the specific legal and institutional constraints at EU level and proposes a set of criteria as well as procedural steps. It also details the concepts of self-regulation and co-regulation. Together with an interinstitutional agreement, it paves the way for the further use of the instrument at Community level. As of today experiences with environmental agreements at Community level are still limited, but encouraging.