Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control:

A Critical Legal Perspective on All-inclusive Integration

The concept of Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) within the European Union is based on the idea that the environment should be seen and protected as a whole. Such a holistic approach lies at the heart of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IE Directive). Multiple limitations to IPPC can be identified in this directive as a consequence of choices made in its regulatory design, whose main pillars consist of an integrated approach, the use of best available techniques, flexibility, inspections and public participation. We argue that it has to be carefully considered whether moving towards an all-inclusive integration in the IE Directive is useful and necessary, as this may lead to arbitrary permit granting, hinder judicial control, and, as a consequence, reduce legal certainty. In our lecture, we also address the IE Directive 2.0, which entered into force on 4 August 2024, that aims to guide large European industries towards meeting the EU's zero pollution ambition by 2050.

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Speakers

Mr. Dr. LS. Lolke Braaksma

Assistant professor at the Department of Constitutional Law, Public Law and Public Administration (University of Groningen, Netherlands).

Prof. Mr. Dr. H.D. (Hanna) Tolsma

Professor of Decision-making and legal protection in Environmental Law at the Department of Constitutional Law, Public Law and Public Administration (University of Groningen, Netherlands).

Environmental Law Lecture Series

This lecture is part of the Environmental Law Lecture Series: Strengthening EU Environmental Law, Legal Perspectives on Greening Europe series. This series provides a set of important insights from environmental law scholars on how EU environmental law helps to achieve the aim of a high level of environmental protection in the European Union and across the world.

With the European Green Deal from 11 December 2019 the European Commission tabled an ambitious legislative program, based on fundamental aims such as zero pollution, do no harm, and climate neutrality. Many legal developments took place and are still ongoing, both at the European and national regulatory levels as in the courtroom, including the national courts. While efforts to protect the environment are direly needed, including effective implementation and enforcement, the regulatory acquis, and the flow of case law, has become utterly complex which poses challenges for acquiring a good understanding and application.

This freely accessible online (and hybrid) lecture series provides students and scholars with core insights into the state of affairs and further improvement of EU environmental law. The lecture series will run in 2023 and 2024. All lectures will be recorded and will be made accessible through our YouTube channel.

This GreenDeal-Net lecture series is hosted by MCEL, METRO and organised in cooperation with GLaw-Net and GreenDeal-NET. Maastricht University students will be eligible for certificates of attendance (see more information under the registration link).