Environmental Assessment in Germany Environmental Assessment in Federations: Current Dynamics and Emerging Issues September 13 -15, 2009 Ottawa, Canada Dr. Matthias Weigand Head of Unit „Cross Sectoral Law“ Bavarian State Ministry of Environment and Public Health
Federalism in Germany „Bundesrat“ federal loyality but own legislative competence „Bundesrat“ Federal Council with representativs of each region „Bundestag“ Parliament 15-09-2009 Dr. Weigand
Federal Republic of Germany The 3-level system 1. Legislation 2. Transformation 3. Enforcement European Union Federal Republic of Germany Region: Bavaria 15-09-2009 Dr. Weigand
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 15-09-2009 Dr. Weigand
European environmental law EU-wide instrument for permitting procedures 1985: 2001: EIA SEA Environmental impact Strategic environmental assessment assessment (UVP-RL 85/337/EWG; (SUP-RL 2001/42/EG) UVP-ÄnderungRL 97/11/EG) 15-09-2009 Dr. Weigand
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 15-09-2009 Dr. Weigand
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) 15-09-2009 Dr. Weigand
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) 15-09-2009 Dr. Weigand
Necessity to break new ground (2) regional (third) level - subsidiarity intelligent administration win-win-win situation environment – citizen/business - government 15-09-2009 Dr. Weigand