Although intrinsically a global environmental concern, the climate change issue has a number of implications for local authorities. Within the European Union (EU), the remit of local authorities in--for abatement policies--the crucial areas of energy and transport policy varies considerably, as does their commitment to environmental action more generally. This paper examines the role of local authorities in climate protection within a framework of global, EU and national action, through examples of local strategies from Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK. The paper finds positive instances of action in all countries, but points to unsympathetic policy frameworks both at national and EU level, such as budget constraints imposed on local authorities, the pursuit of low energy prices combined with a resistance to impose carbon taxes, a lack of energy efficiency standards and insufficient support for public transport.
The European Union (EU) has to date failed to implement an effective response to the climate change issue. This article identifies a number of explanatory factors. It argues that, first and foremost, the proposed strategy hinged on measures in two areas which have traditionally been the prerogative of the member states, namely energy and fiscal policy. In a general climate of subsidiarity, there has been little readiness (especially by some member states) to cede more sovereignty. Furthermore, other issues, such as lack of strong leadership, uncertainty about costs, economic concerns and heavy industrial lobbying, have also influenced policy developments.The lack of effective EU-level measures means that emission reductions will depend on action in the member states, at national, regional and local levels. However, the article finds relatively few incidences of effective policies being implemented at other levels of decision-making and a general lack of co-ordination between the different levels. It thus comes as no surprise that the achievement of the EU's CO 2 stabilization target for 2000 now looks increasingly uncertain. The article concludes that, despite some positive signs, there appears to be a lack of political will to establish an effective EU-level response to the problem of climate change.
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