Chapter 7: Environmental and climate activism and advocacy in the EU
Category:
Chapter
Published:
14 Jul 2023
Page Range:
98–112
Collection:
Political Science and Public Policy 2023
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789906981.00018
Keywords:
Environmental and climate activism; Advocacy; Civil society; Transnational campaigns; EU environmental policy
Open access

In this chapter we outline major instances of environmental activism and advocacy in Europe in recent years in the context of a longer history of waves of environmentalism. This situated account points to a fairly clear (though not necessarily formal) demarcation of roles in EU environmentalism where social movements push for change through activist strategies that target governments at various levels, and NGOs use advocacy strategies initially to push for changes in EU policy and subsequently to monitor compliance and implementation. We also explore nuances, discussing how advocacy and activism overlap, take more and less prominent positions, and link general shifts from advocacy to activism to new actors, frames of understanding, and political developments. Advocacy and activist ‘modes’ thus emerge clearly as strategic choices. Certain tactics are favoured when deemed more effective for achieving influence, though this does not mean that others disappear: rather, they take a backseat.

Keywords: Environmental and climate activism; Advocacy; Civil society; Transnational campaigns; EU environmental policy

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Cover Handbook on European Union Climate Change Policy and Politics
Handbook on European Union Climate Change Policy and Politics
Handbook
Published:
14 Jul 2023
Print ISBN:
9781789906974
eISBN:
9781789906981
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.4337/9781789906981
Pages:
440
Collection:
Political Science and Public Policy 2023
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