A. INTRODUCTION The European Union's environmental policy is vast and complex. It applies to all countries that fall under the Union's dominion and its criteria must be met for every state that wishes to apply for membership. The European Union was not the forerunner of environmental policy; in fact, the United States “took a leadership role in preparations for the 1972 United Nations (UN) Conference on the Human Environment” (Kelemen). However, in the 1970s (1973 to be precise), as the US moved away from the role of environmental leader, the EU emerged with its seven “Environmental Action Plans” (EAPs) (Pearce). The original purpose of environmental policy was very traditional, focused on the protection of species and improving the quality of life, but today the underlying purpose of the policy "is to enhance natural capital, provide a resource-efficient economy and safeguard people's health" (environment). I will first start with a brief history of environmental policy, followed by its successes and failures using concrete examples and conclude with changes or alternatives to the policy to make it more effective across the European Union.B. BRIEF HISTORY OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Since the 1972 UN Convention, environmental policy has become a virus that has spread throughout the world. The EU has been subjective to this wave and has started the process with six Environmental Action Programs (EAPs). The first program began in 1973 and was divided into three main points: (1) the prevention, reduction and containment of environmental damage, (2) the conservation of ecological balance and (3) the rational use of natural resources. This was a very traditional approach and would be expanded in the future, but at the moment it is a start for the EU. The… center of paper… habitat auctions needed to provide the amount of energy needed to power a nation (e.g. Germany) far outweigh the benefits. Another possibility is for the EU to limit the transition from one resource to another and monitor it carefully so that the cost of energy does not increase dramatically and it can be provided to everyone. CONCLUSION“There is no escaping the fact that Europe and its environment are also facing some serious global challenges. These include the growing world population, the growth of middle classes with high consumption rates, rapid economic growth in emerging economies, ever-increasing energy demand and intensifying global competition for resources. Most of these are outside of [the EU's] influence, but the EU can still help other countries move towards more sustainable development by promoting more effective environmental governance globally.” (environment)