Business and Environmental Interests

Abstract

In both the formulation and implementation of policy, the institutions of the EU rely upon the respective expertise, public access and ‘watchdog’ capacity of NGOs and business groups. Each is central to EU goals in areas of economic and monetary union and environmental policy, such that their support is critical to effective policy outcomes. The first part of this chapter discusses the importance of business interests to the effectiveness of policy. The latter sections address the growing importance of the environmental movement in shaping the agenda of EU environmental policy.