Abstract
This article investigates the shortsightedness or myopia of recent climate and energy policy (CEP) in the EU. To this end, it develops and applies a measurement tool of short-termism composed of four key criteria: (1) the reflection of science-based long-term thinking in the policy process and its output; (2) the degree to which mid-term greenhouse gas emission targets and accompanying policies align with science-based long-term objectives; (3) the stringency of the legislation; and (4) its adaptability. We use these criteria to assess the levels of short-termism of the EU’s 2020 and 2030 CEP frameworks and the (still evolving) European Green Deal (EGD). Overall, we find that the level of myopia of EU CEP has fluctuated and has advanced far less than the development of the nominal mid-term emission targets might suggest. The EGD’s 55% emission reduction target for 2030 only constitutes a return to the levels of alignment with science-based long-term objectives existing in the 2020 Package (making good on the regression of the 2030 Framework). It is primarily due to the maturing of long-term thinking and a ratcheting mechanism, that EU climate policy under the EGD can be considered less myopic than the 2020 Package (although the assessment remains preliminary pending the adoption of further implementing legislation). These findings lay the ground for future research that not only investigates reasons for the general myopia of (EU) climate policy, but also the drivers of the fluctuations over time.
Highlights
In the twenty‐first century, the EU has significantly devel‐ oped its climate and energy policy (CEP), most notably through several policy packages
We propose to investigate to what extent: (1) a long‐term perspective in line with science was explicitly reflected in the legislative process and its output; (2) the mid‐term emission reduction targets and accompany‐ ing policies have been in line with long‐term objectives in accordance with science; (3) the governance frame‐ work has been “stringent” in demanding actors to adapt their behavior; and (4) ratcheting mechanisms for fur‐ ther developing mitigation targets and the governance framework in line with science have been included
Our analysis reveals that the level of myopia of EU CEP displays significant variation over time
Summary
In the twenty‐first century, the EU has significantly devel‐ oped its climate and energy policy (CEP), most notably through several policy packages. Scholars have anal‐ ysed: the development of EU climate policy, its imple‐ mentation and effectiveness, its ambition, its innova‐ tion, the EU’s role as an international climate leader, and individual climate policy instruments and packages (e.g., Boasson & Wettestad, 2013; Burns, 2019; Dupont, 2016; Rayner & Jordan, 2016) This is not the place for a com‐ prehensive review of the achievements and shortcom‐ ings of this literature and its many branches. Our analysis proposes an approach to the systematic investigation/determination of the level of myopia of (climate) policy as an essential basis for research on temporal asymmetries, time inconsistencies and “democratic” myopia. We discuss the main findings, draw conclusions and look ahead to follow‐up research
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