Europe in Transition: The Future Place of the Environment in the European Union

The European Union recently celebrated 60 years since the Treaties of Rome were agreed. To foster debate about its future direction given the rise of populism and Brexit, the European Commission published the White Paper on the Future of Europe that identifies five alternative scenarios that inform how Europe could develop. Notwithstanding the European Union's (EU) strong environmental credentials, the potentially significant climate and environmental implications arising from each of these scenarios for the EU27 Member States is not elaborated and there is no serious reflection on possible environmental implications. The implications of two scenarios could result in lower environmental standards. This policy commentary examines the consequences of a loss of EU competency concerning environmental policy.