Title: ''Are we nearly there yet?'' Lessons for integrated sustainability assessment from EU environmental policy-making

Authors: John Turnpenny

Addresses: Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research and CSERGE, School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, NR4 7TJ, UK

Abstract: Increased interest in sustainable development, and in policy assessment as a means to achieve that, have yielded little evidence of sustainable development principles in policy assessment. This paper presents a study at a more strategic level of policy-making: the European Union (EU)|s environmental Thematic Strategies (TSs). Elements of Integrated Sustainability Assessment (ISA), such as consultation, were often strong, and quantitative analysis was integrated into policy development. But the primary aim of EU policy of pursuing economic growth and de regulation limits the scope and effectiveness of sustainability assessment. This paper concludes by drawing on literature on evidence in policy-making to suggest lessons for ISA.

Keywords: integrated sustainability assessment; ISA; European Union; EU; thematic strategies; environmental policy; better regulation; policy making; sustainable development; policy assessment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJISD.2008.018271

International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 2008 Vol.3 No.1/2, pp.33 - 47

Published online: 14 May 2008 *

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