Passing the Scepter, not the Buck Long Arms in EU Climate Politics

Doris Fuchs,Berenike Feldhoff

doi:10.5539/jsd.v9n6p58

Abstract

<p>This paper investigates power dynamics between and within the core institutions of the European Union (EU) in the development of the 2030 EU climate &amp; energy framework. Starting from the widely studied change in the EU’s climate policy from “leadership by example” to “slow motion”, it integrates a specific focus on power dynamics between the core EU institutions and non-state actors. Interestingly, perspectives on power relations between and within EU institutions and the power of non-state actors in EU governance are rarely integrated explicitly in analyses of the EU’s shift in its stance on climate policy. In this article, we aim to draw together the analyses of institutional power dynamics in EU climate policy with analyses of the exercise of power by non-state actors to explain the dynamics leading to the change in EU climate politics. Using data from document research, secondary literature and interviews conducted with members of EU institutions as well as non-state actors, we show that an absence of clear leadership from the European Council in the end furthered an extended influence of business actors via the strengthening of the Commission as well as particular DGs. The results show how inadequate guidance from the Council and divisions within the Commission facilitated the informal passing of the scepter of EU climate policy to business, even as EU institutions retained formal responsibility, thus not passing the buck in a corresponding manner. The analysis further reveals strong reasons for doubt towards future EU ambitions in global climate change politics.</p>

Highlights

The 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen marks a perceptible shift in the European Union (EU)’s policy efforts on climate
Using data from document research, secondary literature and interviews conducted with members of EU institutions as well as non-state actors, we show that an absence of clear leadership from the European Council in the end furthered an extended influence of business actors via the strengthening of the Commission as well as particular DGs
The results show how inadequate guidance from the Council and divisions within the Commission facilitated the informal passing of the scepter of EU climate policy to business, even as EU institutions retained formal responsibility, not passing the buck in a corresponding manner

Summary

Introduction

The 2009 climate summit in Copenhagen marks a perceptible shift in the EU’s policy efforts on climate. We demonstrate that only an understanding of institutional change in terms of its impact on stakeholder influence will reveal core drivers of the EU’s climate policy, the long arm of business interests. It allows us to gain a clearer idea of what the future of EU climate policy may look like It highlights reasons for continued concerns about the asymmetric influence of stakeholders on EU politics and policy, and about the democratic deficit in the EU (Fuchs, Gumbert, Schlipphak forthcoming). We consider the instrumental, structural (agenda-setting), and discursive dimensions of power when looking at the role non-state actors have played in the processes analyzed. The 2030 Targets as a Result of Power Dynamics between and within the EU’s Core Institutions

Power between and within the EU’s Institutions

The 2030 Targets

Non-state Actors in EU Politics

Non-state Actors and the EU’s 2030 Targets

Findings

The Future of the EU’s Climate Policy?