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The European Union as a global climate leader: confronting aspiration with evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Charles F. Parker

    (Uppsala University
    Uppsala University)

  • Christer Karlsson

    (Uppsala University)

Abstract

In rhetoric and action the European Union has attempted to be a global leader in forging solutions to confront the problem of climate change. Using unique survey data collected at five consecutive UN climate summits from 2008–2012, this article provides evidence on the extent to which the EU is actually recognized as a leader in the UNFCCC climate negotiations, investigates how perceptions of EU leadership have evolved overtime, and helps make sense of the role that the EU has played in recent negotiation outcomes. The survey’s findings show that recognition of the EU as a leader dropped sharply in 2009 at the COP 15 summit in Copenhagen, but has climbed again in subsequent years. The results reveal a fragmented leadership landscape in which the EU must share or compete for leadership with other actors, such as the USA and China, who hold drastically different institutional design preferences and leadership visions than those promoted by the EU. The article’s findings provide insight into the dynamics that both foster and frustrate the EU’s aspiration to lead the effort to reach a deal on a binding post-2020 climate change agreement in Paris at COP 21.

Suggested Citation

  • Charles F. Parker & Christer Karlsson, 2017. "The European Union as a global climate leader: confronting aspiration with evidence," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(4), pages 445-461, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ieaple:v:17:y:2017:i:4:d:10.1007_s10784-016-9327-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s10784-016-9327-8
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Andrew Jordan & Harro van Asselt & Frans Berkhout & Dave Huitema & Tim Rayner, 2012. "Understanding the Paradoxes of Multilevel Governing: Climate Change Policy in the European Union," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 12(2), pages 43-66, May.
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    4. Charles F. Parker & Christer Karlsson, 2010. "Climate Change and the European Union's Leadership Moment: An Inconvenient Truth?," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(4), pages 923-943, September.
    5. Martijn L.P. Groenleer & Louise G. Van Schaik, 2007. "United We Stand? The European Union's International Actorness in the Cases of the International Criminal Court and the Kyoto Protocol," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 45(5), pages 969-998, December.
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    8. Young, Oran R., 1991. "Political leadership and regime formation: on the development of institutions in international society," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 45(3), pages 281-308, July.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

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    2. Alice Martini, 2021. "Socially responsible investing: from the ethical origins to the sustainable development framework of the European Union," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(11), pages 16874-16890, November.
    3. Agni Kalfagianni & Oran R. Young, 2022. "The politics of multilateral environmental agreements lessons from 20 years of INEA," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 245-262, June.
    4. Samuli Patala & Jouni K. Juntunen & Sarianna Lundan & Tiina Ritvala, 2021. "Multinational energy utilities in the energy transition: A configurational study of the drivers of FDI in renewables," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 52(5), pages 930-950, July.
    5. Sylwia Mrozowska & Jan A. Wendt & Krzysztof Tomaszewski, 2021. "The Challenges of Poland’s Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-22, December.
    6. Karoliina Hurri & Sanna Kopra, 2023. "Applicability of leadership modes outside the negotiation framework: insights from China," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 28(6), pages 1-16, August.
    7. Salekpay, Foroogh, 2021. "Distributing the European Union Greenhouse Gas emission 2030," Working Papers 2072/534909, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Department of Economics.
    8. Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen & Katharina Rietig & Michelle Scobie, 2022. "Agency dynamics of International Environmental Agreements: actors, contexts, and drivers," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 353-372, June.

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