"Protecting the environment is now an established part of the policy portfolio of the European Union. But what progress has been made towards 'the greening of Europe'? This book starts by considering the relative weakness of the institutions concerned with environmental policy and the balance of power between business interests and environmental groups. Passing a directive only starts a process which encounters considerable problems of implementation and enforcement, and these are examined against a background in which the European Union is trying to move away from a 'legislative factory' approach towards new types of policy instruments.". "Environmental policy takes place in an increasingly globalised context, and this dimension is fully discussed. Each of the authors is an expert in a particular area of environmental policy, leading to in-depth analysis of global warming, water pollution and air pollution. The conclusion returns to the issues of effectiveness raised in the opening chapter."--BOOK JACKET.