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Sustainability

Policy briefs

Using the EU’s trade power as leverage for a climate deal in Paris

24 Nov 2015 - 16:11
Bron: Swiss cows and ski lifts / Flickr / CC / ugacommunications / 2012

The EU is keen to obtain a new climate agreement that will prevent a temperature rise of more than 2°C at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP21, in Paris. In recent years, it has intensified its climate diplomacy, which is focused on building coalitions, using appealing language (‘narratives’) and offering financial support.

This policy brief questions whether this strategy will be enough and looks at what else the EU could do to increase the likelihood of an ‘ambitious and durable legally-binding agreement applicable to all UNFCCC Parties’. The EU currently relies on traditional instruments of ‘soft’ persuasion and financial aid, but progress in negotiations appears slow. Should consideration now be given to new and additional leverages?

We argue that the EU should not shy away from using its trade power in its decarbonisation efforts in other parts of the world by offering benefits to least-developed countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDSs) and threatening large-emitting economies with punitive measures.