Exploring the EU–India Leadership Dynamic on Climate Change

Abstract

Vijeta Rattani argues that the issue of climate change has involved the interests of the European Union (EU) ever since the issue became a political one in the early 1990s. The EU has been an active entity in formulating rules and policies to address climate change, both domestically and internationally. Though successful in the Kyoto Protocol period, its role considerably weakened following the Copenhagen Summit in 2009. In the discussions for the Paris Agreement and subsequently, the EU did not show a willingness to claim leadership. Rattani argues that the US exit from the accord under President Trump has provided the EU with a unique opportunity to rise to the occasion, providing recommendations to help the bloc to do this. In the present circumstances, the EU is exploring cooperation with China to establish joint leadership on climate issues. India is significant to the EU for climate cooperation but not in terms of a leadership role.