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46888.pdf (Publisher’s version ) (Open Access)Environmentally proactive member states of the European Union (EU)
influence European legislation in different ways. Green ' pushers' seek direct
influence al the EU level, whereas 'forerunners' try to gel national elements
incorporated in an indirect fashion. Together with a second dimension, the
nature of national policies (purposeful or incremental), four national positions
towards EU legislation can be identified: pusher-by-examplc, constructive
pusber, defensive forerunner, and opter-OUl We applied an amended version
of this framework to the influence of three 'green' member states (the
Netherlands, the United Kingdom., and Denmark) on the European
Commission and the European Council when preparing and deciding on new
legislation as to carbon dioxide taxation and emissions trading (related to
climate policy). Different aspeclS of influence were tested: timing, nature of
contacts, alliance building, and uploading of national clcmcnl'!. We
concluded that one type of position should be revised (lale starter is
preferable to optcr-out); besides. countries may simultaneously follow
diffcrent strategies rather than adopt one single approach