Divergence and Convergence in Policy Meanings of European Environmental Policies: The Case of the Birds and Habitats Directives

Abstract

The link between European environmental policies and spatial planning and decision-making in Member States is complicated and the subject of much debate among students of the European Union and the processes of Europeanization. This paper focus on policy meaning, and analyses the mechanisms of divergence and convergence that are at work in planning and decision-making practices in which the Birds and Habitats Directives are implemented. While many of the mechanisms are unconscious and unintentional and thus cannot be affected, others can be used intentional and strategically during the formulation and implementation of the policies.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the two anonymous referees whose comments on an earlier version helped us to enhance the quality of this paper.