The Future of EU global environmental policy between Planetary Boundaries und Geopolitics

Abstract

Over the past decades, the EU has assumed the role of a global leader in environmental and climate policy. In particular, with the European Green Deal the Union has acknowledged not only the detrimental consequences of environmental degradation and the climate change in Europe but also on a global scale. Focusing on the global north’s responsibilities, the EU has pursued policies to protect the environment and climate in global contexts and reduce the impact of European consumption. Acknowledging insights from research on planetary boundaries, the Green Deal has pursued a transformation of economic and social activities. However, with the war in Ukraine and challenges to the established global trade and economic order, the EU started to adapt to new geopolitical dynamics. This has impacted a range of policy areas. Yet, whether such geopolitical considerations are in conflict with EU environmental and climate policy needs closer inspection. Some areas, e.g. energy policy, might benefit from Europe’s (re)focusing on its independence and autonomy while others, e.g. international trade policy, might see a shift away from the goal to integrate environmental and climate objectives. Against this backdrop, this panel discusses whether and to what degree the Green Deal’s premise, i.e. respecting planetary boundaries and acknowledging Europe’s global environmental responsibility, shapes EU global actions or whether geopolitical considerations overshadow such environmental premises.

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