October 2012 editorial

Since the spread of the economic crisis to the EU, following the default of US banks in 2008, 19 EU leader summit meetings have focused exclusively on structural adjustment and austerity policies aimed at harnessing the stampede of the common currency to collapse. Sustainability and environmental policies are notoriously absent from the agenda. As the world’s eyes are turned upon Europe amidst fears of a crisis transfusion to developing economies, the EU is expected to stand up to its commitments for sustainability.