Principles of EU Environmental Law

In the narrow sense, the integration principle applies to considerations on environmental effects of a new project. The most notable example is the integrated pollution prevention and control regime introduced by the 1996 IPPC Directive, which was amended, codified and finally replaced by the Industrial Emissions Directive. The integrated permitting procedures for the most significant industrial installations help to introduce the best available techniques and prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions and the impact on the environment as a whole.

In the broad understanding (as embodied in Art. 11 of the TFEU), the integration principle requires that environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the Union's policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development. Environmental integration in all relevant policy areas (Agriculture, Energy, Fisheries, Transport, etc.) is essential in order to reduce pressures on the environment resulting from the policies and activities of other sectors and to meet environmental and climate-related targets.

The integration principle became part of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, which provides a long-term vision that involves combining a dynamic economy with social cohesion and high environmental standards. It requires a new emphasis on policy coordination and integration. As part of the implementation of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy, the Commission has introduced a system of extended impact assessment for all major policy proposals. Furthermore, the integration principle became part of the Cohesion Policy which - as the EU's main investment policy - has a particular responsibility to mainstream environment into its programmes and projects.