Green Horizons: Reflections of the European Union’s Environmental Policy in Action

Abstract

This article traces the historical evolution, current situation, and evolving dynamics of the European Union's environmental policy, which positions the EU as a global leader in environmental governance. Beginning with the landmark Paris Summit in 1972, where the development of an EU-wide environmental policy was initiated, this article first examines key moments and policy shifts that have shaped the EU's environmental priorities. Second, it explores the institutionalization of environmental policy within the EU and the structures of environmental governance that support policy implementation. Third, it discusses success stories, challenges, and the global aspects of the EU's environmental policy, emphasizing the EU's commitment to environmental sustainability through legislative measures, institutional frameworks, and international cooperation. Finally, it sets out the challenges that lie ahead for the EU's environmental policy, such as achieving consensus on ambitious environmental goals, coping with complex policy-making processes, and adapting to changing environmental realities. This article argues the EU should balance economic growth with environmental protection through a continuous commitment to environmental goals and cooperation between all stakeholders, and only at the end of such a difficult struggle can the EU become a global leader in environmental management and sustainability