The Treaty of Lisbon and European Environmental Law and Policy

This contribution analyses the effects of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon for European environmental law and policy. The central conclusion is that, apart from the new numbering and some new names for procedures and institutions, this does not entail any major changes. The new Energy Title, it is submitted, does not go beyond confirming the status quo. One potentially interesting innovation is the special treaty infringement procedure for non-communication of implementing measures. Similarly, a new paragraph on standing to challenge the legality of European acts (Article 230 EC) may result in wider access to justice also in environmental matters.