This paper is an attempt to provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of European environmental policy, in particular the definition of the air pollutants' limit. The EU itself is not an isolated and closed legislative body, but a highly developed and vastly complex entity at supranational level. In doing so, the EU acts in an environment of international organisations and institutions on the one hand, and national influences on the other.
Moreover, the foundations of EU multi-level governance are based on a highly complex system of vertical and horizontal links. The topic of the environment requires horizontal integration. It should not be forgotten that the states of the EU are in a mutual dependence of the economic and environmental political paradigm. The establishment of the air pollutants' limits in recent months has repeatedly led to heated debates both at EU level and at national level.
The main sources of nitrogen oxides are internal combustion engines, especially diesel and combustion plants for coal, oil, gas, wood and waste. It is hardly surprising that, especially in agglomeration areas, high traffic volumes are a major cause for high air pollutants values. In addition, in 2015 the diesel scandal came to light. Large car companies used software that made it possible to simulate lower air pollutants emissions in certain test situations. This scandal is still not completely resolved.
As a consequence, due to the high air pollutants emissions, a diesel driving ban is being considered. Apart from the possible health effects that can be caused by the inhalation of fine dust, a diesel driving ban also affects a broad segment of the population. And while the need for a consistent environmental policy is undeniable, this paper seeks to address the question of how the EU set the limit.
In the first part of this thesis, I will discuss the process of Policy Making in the European Union by looking at the individual actors. It distinguishes between the horizontal and vertical levels of policy making. In the second part I take a closer look at the actors in the process of determining the air pollutants’ value. Here, I will bring their motivation and strategies into focus. The third part of this thesis examines the role of automotive companies in this process and their impact on it.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Policy Making in the European Union
2.1. Legal Foundation of the European Union
2.2. The European bodies: Interplay and Accessibility
2.2.1. The Commission
2.2.2. The Council of the European Union (CoM)
2.2.3. The European Parliament (EP)
2.2.4. The European Court of Justice (ECJ)
2.2.5. Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
2.3. Multi-Level Governance (MLG)
3. Background to EU limits for air pollutants
3.1. Initiation of Legislation on the EU limit values of air pollutants
3.2. The Influence of the WHO on the EU limit values of air pollutants
3.3. Financial interests
3.4. The influence of the Automotive corporations
4. Conclusion
5. Bibliography
Research Objectives and Thematic Focus
This paper aims to provide a systematic overview of European environmental policy, specifically focusing on the mechanisms and influences behind the definition of air pollutant limits. It explores the complex interaction between supranational EU institutions, national interests, and external pressures in the legislative process.
- Mechanisms of EU policy-making and the role of key institutional actors.
- The theoretical framework of Multi-Level Governance in the context of environmental regulation.
- The influence of international organizations, such as the WHO, on setting legislative limits.
- The role of economic factors and lobbying by the automotive industry in policy formulation.
- Analysis of the balance between public health objectives and industrial economic interests.
Excerpt from the Book
3.2. The Influence of the WHO on the EU limit values of air pollutants
The World Health Organization is a United Nations International Healthcare Coordination Officer (see UN Organigram). It was founded in 1948 and is headquartered in Geneva. Achieving the best possible health status of all peoples was a stated goal (see Art. 1 of the Constitution of the World Health Organization).
Establishing a limit value for respiratory pollutants is a political process. In some cases, the recommendations of the EU and the World Health Organization (WHO) differ considerably (see fact sheet of the Science Media Center Germany, 2017: 3-4).
In its Air Quality Guidelines, the WHO publishes recommendations for guidelines for emission limits. Most recently, a guideline was published in 2006, the first one in 1987. However, due to new scientific findings, a reorganisation was initiated in 2016. A new version of the guidelines is expected in 2020 (See Update of WHO Global Air Quality Guidlines). The WHO Air Quality Guidelines are intended to provide policy makers with guidance on how to reduce the negative health effects of air pollution (See Air Quality Guidelines, 2005: IX). In addition to a recommendation, the World Health Organization also formulates up to three interim targets in its Air Quality Guidelines. The limit set in the interim targets is based on which improvement would be associated with which degree of approximation to the guide values (see Air Quality Guidelines, 2005: 4).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the paper's intent to provide an overview of EU environmental policy and sets the stage for analyzing the definition of air pollutant limits within a complex supranational system.
2. Policy Making in the European Union: This section details the legislative framework of the EU, identifying the primary institutional actors and the theoretical application of Multi-Level Governance.
3. Background to EU limits for air pollutants: This chapter examines the specific legislative processes, scientific influences, financial constraints, and industrial lobbying efforts that shape EU air quality standards.
4. Conclusion: The final chapter synthesizes the findings, highlighting the ongoing tension between public health requirements and industrial economic interests within the complex EU political system.
5. Bibliography: This section provides a comprehensive list of all academic sources, EU treaties, and institutional reports cited throughout the study.
Keywords
European Union, Environmental Policy, Air Quality, Nitrogen Dioxide, Multi-Level Governance, European Commission, Legislative Process, WHO, Automotive Industry, Emissions Trading, Policy Making, Sustainability, Public Health, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Lobbying
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper provides a systematic overview of European environmental policy, specifically addressing how the EU defines and sets limit values for air pollutants amidst a complex web of supranational and national influences.
Which key institutional actors are discussed?
The study analyzes the roles of the European Commission, the Council of the European Union, the European Parliament, and the European Court of Justice in the legislative process.
What is the core research objective?
The primary objective is to investigate the decision-making process behind air pollutant limits, focusing on how different actors and interest groups balance health concerns with industrial and economic realities.
What scientific methodology is applied?
The paper utilizes a descriptive and analytical approach, synthesizing existing literature, legislative documents, and institutional reports to map out the interactions within the EU's multi-level governance structure.
What topics are covered in the main section of the paper?
The main section covers the initiation of air quality legislation, the advisory influence of the World Health Organization (WHO), the role of cost-benefit analyses, and the impact of lobbying by the automotive sector.
How would you characterize this work through keywords?
The work is best characterized by terms such as European Union, Environmental Policy, Multi-Level Governance, Air Quality, and Lobbying.
How does the WHO influence EU environmental legislation?
The WHO provides health-based Air Quality Guidelines that serve as an important reference for EU policymakers, although the final limits adopted by the EU often reflect a compromise between these health recommendations and industrial feasibility.
What role does the automotive industry play in shaping these policies?
Automotive corporations and car-manufacturing countries significantly influence legislation by lobbying for flexible standards and extended deadlines, citing the economic necessity to remain competitive.
What is the significance of the "CARS21" group mentioned in the text?
CARS21 was a group established in 2005 to review environmental policy regarding car emissions, but it faced criticism for being dominated by industry representatives while lacking input from the environmental sector.
- Quote paper
- Julia Ziegert (Author), 2019, Nitrogen Dioxide Pollution. Background to EU Limits for Air Pollutants, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/593599
