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The European (Green?) Deal: a systematic analysis of environmental sustainability

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  • Joan Hereu‐Morales
  • Alba Segarra
  • César Valderrama

Abstract

Transitioning towards a sustainable society is at the core of public planning in the EU through the European Green Deal (EGD). However, is the EGD a master plan for actual sustainable development in the EU? This work aims to answer this question through an analysis of the environmental sustainability within the EGD's plans through the method of critical discourse analysis, and discussing the results with previous efforts for sustainable development in the EU and in the UN. The results of the analysis identify fundamental flaws in the environmental sustainability of the EGD, which seems to repeat mistakes of previous efforts for sustainability planning in the EU. This work concludes that economic growth is the predominant focus in public planning and that the EGD needs a review of various environmental aspects to be considered the master plan for a transition towards a sustainable EU.

Suggested Citation

  • Joan Hereu‐Morales & Alba Segarra & César Valderrama, 2024. "The European (Green?) Deal: a systematic analysis of environmental sustainability," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(1), pages 647-661, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:32:y:2024:i:1:p:647-661
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2671
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    2. Anna Nowak & Monika Różańska‐Boczula, 2024. "A comparative view of the level of agricultural sustainability – The case of European Union member states," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 2638-2652, June.
    3. Jiazhan Gao & Guihong Hua & Baofeng Huo, 2025. "Turning “green” into “gold”: A study on the impact of green finance pilot zone policy on energy carbon emission efficiency," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 129-143, February.

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