By Jana Gheuens
Book: Making the European Green Deal Work
Abstract
This chapter investigates the transformative nature of the European Green Deal (EGD) by assessing the shortsightedness of the 2020 Package, the 2030 Framework, and the EGD. Specifically, the chapter examines the roles of the main EU institutions (European Commission, Council of the EU, and European Parliament) during policy formulation by focusing on the level of shortsightedness. The chapter applies a previously developed shortsightedness framework to the legislative packages and the institutions’ positions. The framework consists of four indicators: (1) The extent to which the targets are in line with science-based long-term objectives; (2) the stringency of the legislation; (3) the adaptability of the legislation; and (4) the presence of long-term thinking in the legislation. Overall, the chapter concludes that the EGD is not as transformative as portrayed by the Commission but rather a continuation of existing trends. The chapter confirms the image of the European Parliament as an ‘environmental champion’ as many of the farsighted aspects of EU climate policy correlate with the Parliament's position. While the shortsightedness of the Council's and the Commission's positions fluctuates over time, the Council has been the most shortsighted.
