The EU has altered its negotiation strategy in the global climate regime after the failure of the 2009 Copenhagen COP-15. It moved from an emphasis on ‘leadership by example’ and the insistence on top-down, binding targets (‘impartiality’) towards a strategy of shared leadership, increased dialogue and acceptance of more voluntary instruments (‘mutual recognition’ combined with ‘non-domination’). While this shift has been vital to maintain the EU’s status as a relevant actor and secure the Paris Agreement, it may prevent effective global solutions to climate change. It is therefore vital that the EU pushes for rigorous measures of accountability, that member states improve their own emission records, and that vulnerable groups gain better access to the climate negotiations.
Authors
Thomas Diez, University of Tübingen
Franz von Lucke, University of Tübingen
