The objective of this paper is to find out whether differences between the domestic permit allocation procedures of the Member States of the European Union (EU) will distort competition and lead to state aid in a European carbon trading market. This paper shows that it depends whether one takes...

Western experts have extensively counseled East European constitution drafters regarding the dangers of including various social and economic rights within their constitutions. These advisors often criticize provisions that guarantee a right to a clean environment or make the protection of the...

To help achieve its targets for reductions in green house gases, the European Commission has adopted regulations under the Ecodesign Directive (2005/32/EC). These require increased energy efficiency for external power supplies, standby and off-modes for electronic household and office equipment...

Article 11 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) currently provides that "environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the Union policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development"....

The paper analyzes the EPA's proposed 'total maximum daily load' (TMDL) rules for water quality regulation. The benefits of movement to a system that drives pollutant reductions from ambient water conditions are described. The paper argues that while TMDLs are a highly desirable form of...

At first sight the potential discrepancy between competitive behavior of market participants, trade rules and the basic notion of sustainable development may seem to be of a negligible importance. However, during the interactions of market processes with sustainability goals through various...

The European Union has been prizing itself for being the global leader in terms of climate change; its triptych approach and the 20-20-20 targets were certainly an enviable effort prior to the United Nations Convention. However, with the economic crisis having left its mark, there has been a...

During a time in which the subject of climate change is deemed high on the list of priorities of many governments, it is important to assess to what extent policies in this field are achieving meaningful results. The link between energy usage and global warming is clear and today in the European...

This paper asks whether the European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading Scheme has encouraged investment in renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in developing countries. So far, it has produced very little investment in either in spite of the EU's decision to allow credits for projects...

The climate change problem forces the government to implement a policy protecting its society and economy against the possible damage that might be caused by changing weather conditions. At the same time, it can be questioned to what extent citizens are able to (and should) take responsibility...