De Gruyter Handbook of European Union Environmental Policy - (De Gruyter Contemporary Social Sciences Handbooks) (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Environmental policy in all of its dimensions represents the response to the clearest and most urgent existential threat to the well-being of the planet and all of the species inhabiting it. The European Union (EU), as both a leading historical and current contributor to this global threat as well as arguably the most consistent global political leader in the last 3 decades for the environmental response, demands scrutiny and understanding of its processes and outlook.

This handbook provides a vital contribution in both introducing and giving critically important and cutting-edge analysis of these two key elements of modern global politics. Authored by a diverse group of distinguished scholars in the field, chapters in this handbook isolate the key dynamics that drive environmental policymaking. They focus on the political behavior and interaction of a diverse set of policy actors, while also reflecting on and framing the potential directions of analytical, conceptual and empirical innovation in EU Environmental Policy research.

Review Quotes

"It has become a challenge for EU environment scholars to make sense of the last turbulent few years. Zito and Domorenok's edited handbook provides a timely and welcome addition to the literature to help us navigate the increasingly uncertain (even treacherous) intellectual terrain. The handbook's coverage is extensive - it brings together leading EU environment scholars who offer up-to-date theoretical and empirical analyses that cover core institutions, theories, approaches and policy areas. A particular strength is the effort to provide a broad historical context to explain how policy has developed and where it might go in the future, helping us to make sense of the path from the highpoint of the European Green Deal to the populist backlash against environmental measures. The identification of blind-spots and gaps in policy and the state-of-the-art also provides a useful roadmap for future research endeavours. An absolute must-read for all students and scholars interested in EU environmental politics and policy."

Professor Charlotte Burns, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK

"Over the last four decades, the literature on EU environmental policy has expanded massively. This definitive new handbook, masterfully edited by two leaders in the field, fills a gap in the market by distilling the most important elements into 38 chapters, each carefully researched and fully referenced. Highly recommended."

Professor Andrew Jordan, Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, Norwich, UK

"The Handbook on European Union Environmental Policy is an outstanding resource for scholars, students and anyone wanting to learn more about EU environmental policy. Zito and Domorenok have assembled a strong cast of experts who examine the past and future of EU theories, actors and policies. This Handbook sheds light on lessons to be drawn from EU regional collaboration, environmental integration and diffusion of innovations. I heartily recommend it!"

Daniel J. Fiorino, American University, Washington DC, USA

About the Author

Anthony R. Zito is Professor of European Public Policy at Newcastle University (United Kingdom). Dr. Zito is currently Co-Director of the Jean Monnet Centre at Newcastle University. His research focuses on public policy, environmental governance and European Union decision-making.

Ekaterina Domorenok is Associate Professor of Political Science in the Department of Political Science, Law, and International Studies at the University of Padova (Italy). She co-directs the Observatory on Sustainability, Equality, and Social Justice (OSES). Her research primarily focuses on public policy, with a particular attention to sustainability, climate change, and ecosocial transitions.