Environmental Informatics for supporting the enlargement of the European Union

Abstract

The European Union has expanded from the initial six countries that signed the Treaty of Paris in 1951, establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, to 15 member countries until 1997, when it was decided by the European Council to initiate the process of enlargement to a further 13 countries. The latter resulted in the largest change of the EU, in terms of the number of countries involved, their area, population, and prosperity, as well as their different traditions and cultures. In addition, it should be noted that, according to the criteria for accession to the EU (designated by the European Council in 1993), the new member states should incorporate within their legal system the relevant EU legislation, including, of course directives related to the environmental sector. This poses a considerable challenge from the policy making point of view, as it suggests that the EU should become a harmonized entity within a certain time frame, concerning environmental management and protection, while in addition promoting the improvement of the quality of life for citizens. Moreover, environmental improvement is directly linked with financial development, and is considered to be a prerequisite for the formulation of a health monetary antagonistic “environment”. In this paper we discuss how the application of Environmental Informatics principles and methods may support: a) the improvement in procedures related to the implementation of common EU management and protection legislation and practices b) enriched participation of citizens on environment and quality of life related decision making c) horizontal environmental policy integration and sharing within the member states. d) better business opportunities The discussion is made on the basis “real world applications”, using air quality modeling as the environmental domain of interest.