In many ways, the European Union has been a big umbrella for the environment, a point where there is a big consensus about the usefulness of the institution. Whereas many states members had a dim legislation regarding the protection of the environment, European Directives, such as the Birds and Habitats ones, pushed them towards a more protective law (although those directives could be better applied). But after the last elections to the European Parliament and the new composition of the European Commission (the EU executive body) that might change.
