The Jigsaw Puzzle of Sustainability

The Greening of European Business under EU Law: Taking Article 11 TFEU Seriously, Beate Sjåfjell and Anja Wiesbrock (eds), Routledge (2015)

University of Oslo Faculty of Law Research Paper No. 2014-49

Posted: 12 Dec 2014

See all articles by Beate Sjåfjell

Beate Sjåfjell

University of Oslo - Faculty of Law; College of Europe - European Legal Studies Department

Anja Wiesbrock

Independent

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: December 11, 2014

Abstract

This concluding chapter of the book “The Greening of European Business under EU Law: Taking Article 11TFEU Seriously” finds that, in spite of its importance in reaching long-term EU environmental objectives, the environmental integration principle has been remarkably absent from EU policy making, case law and secondary legislation. Article 11 TFEU is not only improperly implemented, it is to a large extent simply ignored by the EU legislator and judiciary. This is at least partially due to the inability of decision-makers and judges to properly take on board the reality of the threats we face to the very basis of our existence and the urgency of the task to remember the ecological core of sustainable development. Thus, a change in the attitude towards Article 11’s environmental integration obligation is needed, recognizing the non-negotiable limits of our planet and respecting the ecological core of sustainable development in all EU policy areas, in particular in the process of integration of diverse, and often colliding, interests. This requires a willingness to embrace a fundamental reform of our economic system and to question the ingrained belief in continuous economic growth.

Suggested Citation

Sjåfjell, Beate and Wiesbrock, Anja, The Jigsaw Puzzle of Sustainability (December 11, 2014). The Greening of European Business under EU Law: Taking Article 11 TFEU Seriously, Beate Sjåfjell and Anja Wiesbrock (eds), Routledge (2015), University of Oslo Faculty of Law Research Paper No. 2014-49, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2536805

Beate Sjåfjell (Contact Author)

University of Oslo - Faculty of Law ( email )

PO Box 6706 St Olavsplass
Oslo, 0130
Norway

HOME PAGE: http://www.jus.uio.no/ifp/english/people/aca/beatesj/

College of Europe - European Legal Studies Department ( email )

Dijver 11
B-8000 Brugge, Oost Vlanderen 10000
Belgium

Anja Wiesbrock

Independent

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