ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY - LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY - LEGAL FRAMEWORK AND GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Summary/Abstract: Environmental protection is a responsibility that must be assumed by society as a whole. Given the recent level of ecological deterioration, the degree of involvement and responsibility of actors, both national and international, should be as high as possible. Although the somewhat "subsidiary" nature of Community environmental policy cannot be denied in relation to other "major" policies, the protection feature is obvious, which gives the importance that such a policy demands. Initially, Community environmental policies had their own environmental justification, without being subordinated to the objectives of the internal market. A considerable change in policy approach has been reflected over time, with subsequent programs, starting with the third MAP, being much more closely linked to the completion of the internal market than previous ones. The year 1987 was perceived as a turning point in Community environmental policy, with environmental protection receiving its own chapter in the Single European Act. Environmental policy was considered a Community policy by the Maastricht Treaty, and sustainable development was strengthened as a Community objective by the Treaty of Amsterdam. Thus, environmental policy and sustainable development have become key elements of strategic documents.

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