The shifting discourses on nature conservation and European policies urge for a constant critical reflections that help to understand practices and tackle problems. Therefore it is good news that the article Divergence and Convergence in Policy Meanings of European Environmental Policies is now freely available.

This paper focuses on policy meaning, and analyses the mechanisms of divergence and convergence that are at work in planning and decision-making practices in which the Birds and Habitats Directives are implemented. While many of the mechanisms are unconscious and unintentional and thus cannot be affected, others can be used intentional and strategically during the formulation and implementation of the policies.

free download