Context

The new European Commission (2024-2029) prioritises the implementation of existing and upcoming EU policies across all sectors. The mission letter of the Commissioner for Implementation highlights the European Green Deal as a key area to showcase the EU's ability to achieve its targets. Member States are increasingly seeking support from the European Commission to address implementation barriers. Most implementation reports from Member States identify obstacles often rooted in human behaviour, though this is rarely made explicit.

Goals

This project examines the behavioural factors behind common implementation obstacles, such as financial, administrative, political, and institutional barriers. It maps the journey of EU directives and regulations from adoption to enforcement across Member States, identifying key actors, their interactions, and influence. By pinpointing leverage points in the process, the project aims to explore behavioural aspects at critical stages, develop targeted interventions, and provide country-specific recommendations to improve green policy implementation.

Methods

A collaborative effort between Behavioural Insights, Design for Policy, and Strategic Foresight within the EU Policy Lab, this project aims for systemic change in the implementation process. The methods include literature reviews, behavioural systems and journey mapping, interviews, surveys, and behavioural experiments, with the development of an interdisciplinary methodology throughout the project.

Expected outcomes

The project will produce a series of JRC reports, along with visualisations of the implementation processes in various Member States, emphasising stakeholder relationships and identifying leverage points for smoother policy implementation.

Outputs