Claves de la emergente políticamedioambiental española: sostenibilidad,gobernanza y europeización

Although environmental policy has experienced a process of normalization within the general frame of public policies, it still retains a certain degree of exceptionality due to its very subject: socio-natural relationships. Such singularity stems from the technical complexities and increasing globalisation of environmental problems. In this regard, Spanish environmental policy has traditionally been dependent on the European Union as a normative source. As such, it is to be re-organized according to the new, emerging theoretical frame for environmental policy –based upon sustainability, ecological modernization and environmental governance. However, the Europeanization of sustainable development shows several limits, which point out to the contradiction between protection and development that summarizes the crossroads in which environmental policy stands.