Affiliation:
1. Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Trento, 38122 Trento, Italy
Abstract
The literature on EU environmental policy implementation shows that Italy’s low administrative capacity prevents it from fully complying with EU provisions. This paper builds on this literature and, through a comprehensive documentary analysis, utilises a process tracing methodology to analyse the implementation process of the sewage sludge directive. This policy has implications for public health and the environment, causing widespread concern. Empirical findings show that the poor performance in this sector results from specific, customised policy decisions made by national and regional authorities at different points in time. The conclusions suggest that, rather than being incompetent, Italy can be defined as a laggard by design.
Subject
Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law,Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment,Geography, Planning and Development,Building and Construction
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