Who put environmental policy on the map?
The Entranet project studied how a new area of policy, not anticipated in the Treaties of Rome in 1957, was taken up by the European Commission. This development was even more unexpected as it occurred at a time when the main focus was on economic modernisation and prosperity. Researchers examined how informal transnational networks comprising the European Commission, national ministries and the environmental movement were able to shape a new environmental policy agenda. This was in contrast to the conventional approach, which concentrates on the role of Member States. The Council Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds 79/409/EEC was used as a case study. The study revealed that European Parliament Members responded to public pressure to protect wild bird populations. Findings showed that European institutions in the 1970's were more responsive to the demands of public and expert opinion and non-governmental organisations (NGO) than previously believed. The results of the Entranet project will provide a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate among academics, lawyers and policy makers regarding the way new areas of legislation arise within the European Union.
