Abstract

Climate change governance is one of the EU’s priorities. The EU has developed a central (and arguably, a leading) role in global climate governance. The UK has been an important supporter of strong climate action both within the EU and in international climate negotiations. We investigate how/whether the EU’s role in global climate governance will be affected by Brexit by focusing on potential changes in three conditions for EU leadership: (1) credible and ambitious internal climate policy; (2) constant and effective international engagement through climate diplomacy; and (3) the ability to attract followers. We find that the UK has sometimes played the role of a pivotal outlier, either pushing for more internal policy ambition or blocking certain policy options. Brexit is likely to have cumulative effects on the EU’s role in global climate governance over the long term, through a series of changes in internal EU policymaking and climate diplomacy. The speed and scope of these changes depend on the nature of the future UK–EU relationship. We argue that the broader international context and strains on EU unity represent more urgent challenges to the EU’s role in global climate governance than those posed by Brexit.

Highlights

  • Climate change governance is one of the EU’s priorities

  • We examine the UK’s role in both EU internal climate policy, focusing on the development of the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), and in the international climate negotiations

  • We find that changes after Brexit are likely to lead to cumulative effects over the long term, and that the speed and scale of change depends on the nature of the future UK–EU relationship

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Summary

Introduction

The EU has adopted targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, including a 40 per cent reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and has implemented a range of policies to achieve its goals. It has developed a central role in global climate governance through its climate diplomacy and by standing as an example of climate action. Politics and Governance, 2019, Volume 7, Issue 3, Pages 51–61 climate negotiations It has been influential in strengthening EU policy ambition and in the choice of internal EU policy instruments. We argue that the EU faces other, more pressing challenges to its global climate role than Brexit, including the international climate context, EU internal unity and broader EU reform processes

Understanding the EU’s Role in Global Climate Governance
The UK in EU Climate Policy and Diplomacy
The UK as a Supporter of EU Climate Policy
The UK and the EU ETS
The UK in the Council
The UK in the EP
The UK in the European Commission
The UK and the EU’s Role in International Climate Negotiations
Changes in the EU’s Role in Global Climate Governance after Brexit
Findings
Conclusion

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