Comparing & Contrasting European & American Environmental & Sustainability�Policies & Outcomes

�INTERACTIVE EXERCISE

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EU-Virginia Connections: �Bring Europe Alive For Your Students

Sunday December 5^th, 2021

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Todd Schenk, PhD �Associate Professor

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

What is sustainability?

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

�Our Common Future (Brundtland Report), 1987

What is sustainability?

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

�Our Common Future (Brundtland Report), 1987

What sectors require attention if we are to advance sustainability?��E.g., Transportation

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

ASSIGNMENT: How does Europe do it?

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

In small groups:

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• Look for (information on) a European policy or policies in the sector assigned to you. The resource(s) you find may be an actual policy, and/or ‘gray literature’ or media coverage on that policy
• What does the policy entail?
• What level of government has developed the policy? What is required of others for implementation?
• Is there any indication of how implementation is progressing?
• What does the policy suggest about the responsible government’s policy priorities?
• Does the policy suggest any differences compared to the American approach?

Example:�

Sector = Transportation

Policy = Danish National Bicycle Strategy

Specific initiatives to encourage everyday cycling:

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• The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is establishing many more safe and attractive parking facilities for cyclists at train stations and at other hubs
• • The MoT supports Cycle Superhighways for improved accessibility in more cities
• The MoT is working to allow bicycles to turn right at suitable intersections when the lights are red
• Recommended: Improved opportunities for combining cycling with public transport
• Recommended: Increased focus on cycling by employers, with new bicycle solutions, commuter bicycles and mobility schemes

Source: Sean Fleming (2018).World Economic Forum www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/10/what-makes-copenhagen-the-worlds-most-bike-friendly-city/

Bikes v cars - In 2016, the number of bicycles entering Copenhagen’s city centre exceeded the number of cars. All images: Copenhagenize Design Company/Mikael Colville-Andersen. �Copied from www.theguardian.com/cities/gallery/2018/jun/11/copenhagenize-case-urban-cycling-graphs

ASSIGNMENT: How does Europe do it?

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

In small groups:

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• Look for (information on) a European policy or policies in the sector assigned to you. The resource(s) you find may be an actual policy, and/or ‘gray literature’ or media coverage on that policy
• What does the policy entail?
• What level of government has developed the policy? What is required of others for implementation?
• Is there any indication of how implementation is progressing?
• What does the policy suggest about the responsible government’s policy priorities?
• Does the policy suggest any differences compared to the American approach?

If we’d had more time…

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

• Find (comparable) policies in your sector here in the United States
• Compare and contrast them
• Look for evidence of how implementation is going in practice

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And answer:

• Do the differences suggest differences in priorities?
• What evidence can you find of how well (or poorly) implementation is going? What barriers (if any) are inhibiting implementation?

Broader principles…

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

E.g., precautionary principle

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The precautionary principle is detailed in Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. It aims at ensuring a higher level of environmental protection through preventative decision-taking in the case of risk. However, in practice, the scope of this principle is far wider and also covers consumer policy, European Union (EU) legislation concerning food and human, animal and plant health.

…and some caveats…

Environmental & Sustainability Policies & Outcomes in Europe and America

• Often a disconnect between policies and plans (aspirational) and outcomes (realities in practice)

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• This is especially true as the EU seeks to advance sustainability across 27 member states through directives that are variably approximated and implemented

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• Lessons to be learned, but also important cultural, geographic, and other differences between Europe and the United States. Also areas in which American policies are further ahead

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• Both Europe and the United States are complex institutionally, with multiple levels of government and often shared (and ambiguous!) responsibilities

THANK YOU!

�Happy to answer any questions and discuss further

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Todd Schenk�tschenk@vt.edu