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Implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements: An Analysis of EU Directives

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  • Richard Perkins
  • Eric Neumayer

Abstract

While a number of different theoretical models have been advanced to explain why states implement-or, indeed, do not implement-multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), very little empirical work has been undertaken to validate their predictions. With a view to narrowing this gap, the present article adopts a large-N, econometric approach to test the explanatory power of four distinct models of compliance-domestic adjustment, reputational, constructivist and managerial-in the context of European Union (EU) environmental policy. Using data on the number of ofıcial infringements received by 15 member states for non-implementation of environmental directives over the period 1979-2000, we ınd that all four models make a statistically signiıcant contribution to explaining spatio-temporal differences in legal implementation. Thus, our results suggest that the implementation of MEAs is shaped by a combination of rational calculations of domestic compliance costs and reputational damage, domestically institutionalized normative obligations, and legal and political constraints. We conclude by suggesting a greater need for multi-causal theoretical models of supranational legal compliance. (c) 2007 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Perkins & Eric Neumayer, 2007. "Implementing Multilateral Environmental Agreements: An Analysis of EU Directives," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 7(3), pages 13-41, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:tpr:glenvp:v:7:y:2007:i:3:p:13-41
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    1. Ardron, Jeff A. & Rayfuse, Rosemary & Gjerde, Kristina & Warner, Robin, 2014. "The sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in ABNJ: What can be achieved using existing international agreements?," Marine Policy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 98-108.
    2. Ndlovu, Nicholas P. & Nzuma, Tendai M., 2024. "The implementation of agroforestry in Namibia: A street-level bureaucracy perspective," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    3. Liliana B. Andonova & Ioana A. Tuta, 2014. "Transnational Networks and Paths to EU Environmental Compliance: Evidence from New Member States," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 52(4), pages 775-793, July.
    4. Adolph, Christopher & Quince, Vanessa & Prakash, Aseem, 2017. "The Shanghai Effect: Do Exports to China Affect Labor Practices in Africa?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 1-18.
    5. Frederic Maes & Peter Bursens, 2015. "Steering or Networking: The Impact of Europe 2020 on Regional Governance Structures," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 3(2), pages 100-116.
    6. Lucia Rossel & Brigitte Unger & Joras Ferwerda, 2022. "Shedding light inside the black box of implementation: Tax crimes as a predicate crime for money laundering," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 781-800, July.
    7. Charalampos Koutalakis & Aron Buzogany & Tanja A. Börzel, 2010. "When soft regulation is not enough: The integrated pollution prevention and control directive of the European Union," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 4(3), pages 329-344, September.
    8. Frederic Maes & Peter Bursens, 2015. "Steering or Networking: The Impact of Europe 2020 on Regional Governance Structures," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 3(2), pages 100-116.
    9. Yonatan Lupu, 2016. "Why Do States Join Some Universal Treaties but Not Others? An Analysis of Treaty Commitment Preferences," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 60(7), pages 1219-1250, October.
    10. Stine Aakre & Jon Hovi, 2010. "Emission trading: Participation enforcement determines the need for compliance enforcement," European Union Politics, , vol. 11(3), pages 427-445, September.
    11. Christopher A. Hartwell, 2023. "In our (frozen) backyard: the Eurasian Union and regional environmental governance in the Arctic," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 176(4), pages 1-22, April.
    12. Jana Paasch, 2022. "Revisiting Policy Preferences and Capacities in the EU: Multi‐level policy implementation in the subnational authorities," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(3), pages 783-800, May.
    13. Brian Blankenship, 2018. "When Do States Take the Bait? State Capacity and the Provocation Logic of Terrorism," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 62(2), pages 381-409, February.
    14. Clara Brandi & Dominique Blümer & Jean-Frédéric Morin, 2019. "When Do International Treaties Matter for Domestic EnvironmentalLegislation?," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 19(4), pages 14-44, November.

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    JEL classification:

    • N0 - Economic History - - General

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