Comparing environmental policy-making in transnational institutions

This article examines how the differing institutional structures of the European Union (EU) and three international organizations shape environmental legislative output for European actors. Using international organization and new institutionalist approaches, the article derives a number of comparative propositions, suggesting that differences in structure influence government and non-state actor behaviour. The range of available international fora creates the possibilities for actors to manipulate the context in which they negotiate policy. European actors are more likely to explore new ideas within the international organizations, but it is easier to set the EU agenda and to develop more substantive regulation.