STRATEGIES OF THE GREEN MEMBER STATES IN EU ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY-MAKING

This article investigates the strategies of the 'leaders' in EU enviro nmental policy-making. A typology of strategies of influencing EU envi ronmental policy is introduced, distinguishing between different kinds of 'pushers' and 'forerunners'. With the help of this typology, the p ositions and strategies of the 'green' member states after the accessi on of Sweden, Finland and Austria are analysed. It is concluded, among other things, that differences in strategies of articulating environm entally progressive positions in the EU may seriously thwart effective alliance-building between the 'leaders'. Denmark is identified as the most activist 'green' member state. In Sweden and Austria, pragmatism now prevails. The Netherlands and Finland have the most constructive approach. Germany has largely abandoned its activism of the 1980s in f avour of more defensive tendencies. Because of its political and econo mic impact, the role of Germany is crucial among the 'green' member st ates.