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A policy is a way to deal with a problem
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Policy-making has four stages: 1) the problem is selected,
identified and defined, 2) a particular policy is adopted, 3) attempts are
made to realize the policy, 4) the result of the policy is evaluated
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Policy instruments could be divided into three
classes: regulations, economic means and, information and moral suasion
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An environmental policy could evaluated according to its effectiveness,
efficiency, cost-effectiveness and equity.
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Some of the most important ways for an individual in a free,
open and democratic society to exert influence are: the political vote, the
economic vote and the work for voluntary organizations.
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Science and media have central roles in the political
process in most countries. Environmental organizations are also important.
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In a parliamentarian democracy it is the parliament that constitutes
the core of policy-making as the elected members shape the policy of the
country, including environmental policy.
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The government has the task to execute and implement the
policies decided by the parliament
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The conditions and prerequisites for local and regional
authorities vary greatly between the countries in the Baltic Sea region
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An important part of the implementation process is the
process of legal decisions on permits to conduct an activity that is
potentially harmful to the environment, and the following control that the
decision and general legal regulations are respected.
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The transition to market economy has made the former
socialist economies less polluting.
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Instead other environmental problems connected with market
economy has emerged.
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Since environmental actions requires funding financing
environmental policy has become an important component in the economy of
many countries.
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A considerable activity has been launced from Western Europe
and the US to assist Central and Eastern Europe in their efforts to improve
the environment.
