EU Law and Policy

Question 1

What is an economic argument for Brexit?

Answer 1

2004-2014 31%-23% share in global GDP
declining influence as chinese market opens up
GDP projected decline

Question 2

What was the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive associated with?

Answer 2

Extended producer responsibility, inc WEEE and end of life considerations
Early 1980s

Question 3

What was Article 6 of the EU Treaty?

Answer 3

Principle of Integration of SD across all areas of policy

Question 4

Why might the EU be an anti-environment concept? (3)

Answer 4

Consumption based, focused on economic growth and markets
Need 3 earths if everyone has a European lifestyle
Stockpiling of food, fishery quotas lead to food waste

Question 5

What are EC Regulations? Give one example

Answer 5

Direct law, no further action from states

EC Reg No 1005/2009 substances that deplete the ozone layer

Question 6

What are EC Directives?

Answer 6

Binding as the result to be achieved
3 year transposition period Directive EU 2012/19 WEEE
Transposed to UK law in 2013

(UK WEEE regs were late published in 2006, directive published 2002)

Question 7

What is the EU Commission?

Answer 7

Executive body of the EU gov, responsibility to develop environmental action

Question 8

What is the Council of Ministers?

Answer 8

1 rep per state

Enviro ministers decide enviro matters

Question 9

What is the European Parliament?

Answer 9

Directly elected members of state

Create new legislation

Question 10

What is the European Court of Justice?

Answer 10

Supreme authority
Works to the spirit as much as the letter of the law
Ensures application of enviro principles

Question 11

What is the EEA?

Answer 11

European Environment Agency
no powers of enforcement
monitors air, land, water emissions across whole EU
specific subject reports e.g. Air Qual in EU 2019, paving the way to a circular economy

Question 12

What is the EU Circular Economy Package?

Answer 12

Revised waste legislation, increases resource efficiency
Still in out Environment Bill
max 10% waste to landfill by 2030
Monitoring Framework on progress, 10 indicators

Question 13

What is the EU Air Policy Package?

Answer 13

Caps on key pollutants

Reduce impacts by 2030, such as 58,000 less premature deaths

Question 14

What some key pieces of EU legislation?

Answer 14

Wild Birds Directive 1979->2009
Habitats Directive 1992 (Natura 2000)
EIA Directive 1985->2014
Water Framework Directive 2000
Ambient Air Quality for Europe 2008

Question 15

What is the full name of the WEEE directive?

Answer 15

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 2012/19/EU
Became law in 2003