Environmental Assessment in Germany Environmental Assessment in Federations: Current Dynamics and Emerging Issues September 13 -15, 2009 Ottawa, Canada.

Präsentation zum Thema: "Environmental Assessment in Germany Environmental Assessment in Federations: Current Dynamics and Emerging Issues September 13 -15, 2009 Ottawa, Canada."—  Präsentation transkript:

1 Environmental Assessment in Germany Environmental Assessment in Federations: Current Dynamics and Emerging Issues September , 2009 Ottawa, Canada Dr. Matthias Weigand Head of Unit „Cross Sectoral Law“ Bavarian State Ministry of Environment and Public Health

2 Federalism in Germany „Bundesrat“
federal loyality but own legislative competence „Bundesrat“ Federal Council with representativs of each region „Bundestag“ Parliament Dr. Weigand

3 Federal Republic of Germany
The 3-level system Legislation Transformation Enforcement European Union Federal Republic of Germany Region: Bavaria Dr. Weigand

4 Double federalism in Europe
Now: The higher level of federalism overrules the lower level Before: European Union Consequence: regions wither away Federal Republic of Germany Region: Bavaria Dr. Weigand

5 European environmental law
EU-wide instrument for permitting procedures 1985: : EIA SEA Environmental impact Strategic environmental assessment assessment (UVP-RL 85/337/EWG; (SUP-RL 2001/42/EG) UVP-ÄnderungRL 97/11/EG) Dr. Weigand

6 Reform of federalism in Germany
Target: More competence for the federal level in order to adjust better to european requirements But: Regions have the right to enact laws at variance for example: EIA-limits now determined in federal law (RGU), but regions have the right to enact laws that differ from federal limits Dr. Weigand

7 Problem of state-level: lack of resources (personal/ financial)
Enforcement problems Global problem: economic downturn Problem of state-level: lack of resources (personal/ financial) Solution:  Better legislation  Regulatory innovation  New instruments ( EMAS) Dr. Weigand

8 Necessity to break new ground (1)
command and control bureaucracy intellegent system of implementation and enforcement of (environmental) laws Cooperation instead of confrontation Self-responsibility/ voluntary agreements Environmental managment-systems (EMAS) Dr. Weigand

9 Necessity to break new ground (2)
regional (third) level - subsidiarity intelligent administration win-win-win situation environment – citizen/business - government Dr. Weigand