Europe in the world: how the European Green Deal could influence global climate action and sustainable development

Iacobuta, Gabriela
External Publications (2020)

published on blogs.die-gdi.de, 07.10.2020, Online

The European Union (EU) announced its European Green Deal (hereafter Green Deal) at the global Climate Conference in Madrid in 2019, stating its intention to make Europe carbon neutral by 2050. The EU has been a global leader on the international stages of climate and sustainability, constantly pushing for more action at home and in the international negotiations. In that sense, through the Green Deal, the EU recognizes that its domestic action alone will not set the world on track for the deep needed transition towards sustainability. Rather, it notes and takes seriously the role it could play globally by acting as a role model and by directly stimulating action beyond borders. Nevertheless, while the Green Deal is well-intentioned and will certainly provide multiple opportunities for partner countries, potential challenges and conflicting objectives should not be overlooked, in particular those affecting developing countries.

About the author

Iacobuta, Gabriela

Climate and sustainable development policy