What the ‘European Green Deal’ Means for the EU’s External Action. College of Europe Policy Brief February 2020.

Varrenti, Mario Giuseppe (2020) What the ‘European Green Deal’ Means for the EU’s External Action. College of Europe Policy Brief February 2020. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

Inspired by “the passion, conviction and energy of the millions of young people making their voice heard on our streets and in our hearts”, in December 2019, the European Commission proposed a ‘European Green Deal’ aimed at reducing carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The European Green Deal has significant global ramifications and therefore an important impact on the EU’s external action, involving its diplomatic, cooperation and trade instruments. Bold action is not only needed internally to decarbonise and dematerialise our economies but also externally to support the EU’s international partners in their efforts to tackle the climate emergency. In this context, technological and financial support will not be enough because climate change is quintessentially a political problem. The EU should be ready to challenge the entrenched elites, at home and in partner countries, that benefit from the status quo and resist change.

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