"Response to Climate Change in a Transnational Context: European Case". [University of Illinois EUC Working Paper, Vol. 2, No. 1]

Balta, Nazmiye (2003) "Response to Climate Change in a Transnational Context: European Case". [University of Illinois EUC Working Paper, Vol. 2, No. 1]. In European Union Studies Association (EUSA) > Biennial Conference > 2003 (8th), March 27-29, 2003, pages 32, Nashville, Tennessee, USA.

Abstract

As a response to the identification of significant role of human-induced activities in the climate change, major industrialized countries have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions on an average of 5.2% from 1990 levels by 2008-2012 with Kyoto Protocol in 1997. In this Protocol, the European Union as single identity has committed itself to reduce its emissions by 8% by the year 2012 on 1990 levels, and unanimously ratified Kyoto Protocol in May 2002. While the Burden Sharing Agreement sets emission reduction targets for each member state, the European Climate Change Programme (ECCP) that was launched in March 2000 outlines a list of priority actions for EU-wide common and coordinated policies and measures. This paper explores how climate change issue can be dealt in a transnational context, with a case study of the EU. It attempts to provide an outline of the European climate change policy, of the actors in play, its formulation and implementation processes, and a research agenda for a deeper understanding of these issues. The interviews made with the staff of the European Commission Directorate General of the Environment and of ministry of environments in selected member states in summer of 2002 highlight major experiences that could be gained from this European experience.