Understanding Policy Coherence: Analytical Framework and Examples of Sector-Environment Policy Interactions in the EU

The document introduces a framework to analyze policy coherence in the EU by identifying synergies and conflicts across policy objectives, instruments, and implementation practices. Using examples from EU renewable energy and cohesion policies, the author finds that while policies often align at the objective level, conflicts frequently arise during the application of instruments and implementation practices.

• The proposed analytical framework for policy coherence consists of a three-step process: creating an inventory of policy objectives, utilizing a screening matrix, and conducting an in-depth analysis of key interactions.
• Analysis of EU renewable energy and cohesion policies in relation to biodiversity, habitats, resource efficiency, and water indicates that coherence is common at the objective level, but conflicts typically emerge through policy instruments and implementation practices.

APA

Stockholm Environment Institute (2012). Understanding Policy Coherence: Analytical Framework and Examples of Sector-Environment Policy Interactions in the EU. https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-policy-coherence-analytical-framework-and-examples-of-sector-environment-policy-interactions-in-the-eu/

Chicago

Stockholm Environment Institute. Understanding Policy Coherence: Analytical Framework and Examples of Sector-Environment Policy Interactions in the EU. 2012. https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-policy-coherence-analytical-framework-and-examples-of-sector-environment-policy-interactions-in-the-eu/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Stockholm Environment Institute |title=Understanding Policy Coherence: Analytical Framework and Examples of Sector-Environment Policy Interactions in the EU |date=24 September 2012 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-policy-coherence-analytical-framework-and-examples-of-sector-environment-policy-interactions-in-the-eu/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{stockholmenvironmentinstitute2012understanding, author = {{Stockholm Environment Institute}}, title = {{Understanding Policy Coherence: Analytical Framework and Examples of Sector-Environment Policy Interactions in the EU}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2012}, month = sep, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/understanding-policy-coherence-analytical-framework-and-examples-of-sector-environment-policy-interactions-in-the-eu/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }