This is a short presentation of EU environmental primary law, analysed with a special focus on environmental crime, in light of the new relevance that the Lisbon Treaty accorded to the European Union acquis. The examination of the history of the EU environmental provisions through EU Treaties shows that every reform of the Treaties has brought changes to the environmental provisions and decision-making procedures.

The wide interpretation of these provisions by EU institutions and, in particular, the EU Court of Justice has made the protection of the environment through criminal law possible with the adoption of the EU Directive 2008/99. The Lisbon Treaty has made changes to the European environmental law that will be analyzed both in its internal and external dimension. The Seventh Environment Action Programme and its priority objectives are also presented.