• Services
  • Helpdesk
  • CIRCA
  • Forum
  • Roles (Restricted)
  • Workplan
  • Subscriptions
  • News
  • Calendar
  • Training
  • NFP mails
• Reportnet
  • CDR Repository
  • ROD Obligations
  • Data Dictionary
  • Content Registry
  • Conversion service
  • Dam Positioning
• Tools
  • GIS
  • SEIS
  • Software
  • SVN Repository
  • Task Management
  • Design Guidelines
  • Standards
  • Continuous Integration
  • GEMET Thesaurus
• Topics (ETCs)
  • Air pollution and Climate Change mitigation
  • Biological Diversity
  • Climate Change impacts, vulnerability and Adaptation
  • Inland, Coastal and Marine waters
  • Spatial Information and Analysis
  • Sustainable Consumption and Production

Policy effectiveness

1. Introduction
2. Studies

1. Introduction

The sixth environment action programme of the European Community (6EAP) highlights the need to undertake “ex-post evaluation of the effectiveness of existing measures in meeting their environmental objectives”. Such evaluations require a better understanding of policy measures and an examination of the mechanisms that lead to their observed effects. This means investigating what measures have been implemented in response to the given directive, what were the effects of these measures and in what national context are they supposed to operate.

So, the aim of ex-post policy effectiveness evaluations is to track progress in different policy areas. It involves an analysis of the effectiveness of the implemented systems in terms of their contribution to fulfilling the environmental objectives specified in the EU directives and national targets where applicable

In the policy effectiveness studies conducted by the Topic Centre, the general approach has been to collaborate with EEA member countries by involving representatives of the countries included in the study throughout the process. This has been achieved through interviews, participation in workshops and, often, through a series consultations. Moreover, a network of policy evaluation experts has been invited to review the results. Another important aspect of the process was the development of suitable evaluation methodologies. For each study, a methodology has been developed to match the objective of the study as well as the type and amount of information and data available. When reporting results from policy effectiveness studies, emphasis has been put on providing the detailed country-specific information in background papers, with the overall findings presented in a single EEA report.

Back to top

2. Studies

To date, the Topic Centre has conducted three EEA ex-post policy effectiveness studies.

Effectiveness of packaging waste management systems in selected countries: an EEA pilot study

The Topic Centre conducted one of the first EEA pilot studies on policy effectiveness; the study of packaging waste management systems in selected countries. Completed in 2005 the study was an ex-post analysis of the effectiveness of systems in terms of their contribution to fulfilling the environmental objectives specified in the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, and national targets where applicable.

The final report is available for download at the EEA website:

Effectiveness of environmental taxes and charges for managing sand, gravel and rock extraction in selected EU countries

In the study the Topic Centre surveyed the use of economic instruments to promote material resource efficiency. It also developed a methodology for the ex-post evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of economic instruments. The study aims to increase understanding of the efficient and effective use of economic instruments in resource management in EEA member countries (i.e. to share good practice and increase knowledge and understanding in this area).

The final report is available for download at the EEA website:

The background working papers - Effectiveness of environmental taxes and charges for managing sand, gravel and rock extraction in selected EU countries - are available for download at:

• Czech Republic
• Italy
• Sweden
• UK

Diverting waste from landfill - Effectiveness of national waste policies related to the Landfill Directive

Another policy effectiveness study conducted by the Topic Centre, this time aimed at evaluating national waste management policies in selected countries in the context of the Landfill Directive and other relevant EU waste policies. The objective was to reach conclusions on whether, and how, the existing EU policy framework acts as a driver for strategic change in waste management at the national level. For the study, the Topic Centre developed a methodology based on a system of indicators representing specific landfill policy actions and a series of factors hindering and favouring the diversion of waste from landfills, e.g. recycling policy, landfill taxes, etc. In addition, CERIS-CNR conducted an econometric study for the EU25 Member States assessing the effects of different drivers.

The final report is available for download at the EEA website:

The country studies, methodology report and econometric study are available for download as Working Papers from our website:

• Estonia
• Finland
• The Flemish region
• Germany
• Hungary
• Italy
• A methodology for country studies
• Econometric study

Back to top