ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OF THE EUROPEAN UNION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF GREEN THEORY
YEŞİL TEORİ PERSPEKTİFİNDEN AVRUPA BİRLİĞİ ÇEVRE POLİTİKASI

Author : Samet ZENGİNOĞLU -- Mustafa MUTLU
Number of pages : 459-469

Abstract

In the 21st century, environment has been one of issues on the agenda of international politics. Within the context of the United Nations and the European Union, the origin of this agenda item may be dated back to a period close to the last quarter of the 20th century. However, it can be stated that sensitivity about environment has come to the forefront more evidently at the present time. The evaluation of the issue of environment in terms of the existence of an “environmental problem” at a global level is one of the primary reasons for this. Since the problem appears at a global level, it is considered a must to develop an international or supranational approach for its solution. It is witnessed that the European Union, which is an actor standing out with its supranational structure in terms of international relations, does not remain insensitive to the issue of environment. The steps taken on institutional and legal grounds since the 1970s have indicators confirming this. However, it is considered that it would not be enough to address these indicators only within historical, institutional, and legal contexts. Accordingly, one should take into consideration theoretical ground besides political framework when producing ideas and making criticisms on the environmental policy of the European Union. Green theory in international relations provides important clues for analyzing the environmental policy of the European Union. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the environmental policy of the European Union within the framework of green theory.

Keywords

Green theory, European Union, Environmental Policy.

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