Climate Law and Policy in the European Union: Accidental Success or Deliberate Leadership?

Abstract

Internationally, the European Union has become known as a forerunner in the adoption and implementation of ambitious climate policies, pioneering new regulatory instruments and voluntarily committing itself to ambitious targets both with regard to greenhouse gas mitigation and energy sustainability. Underlying Europe’s perceived leadership in the struggle against climate change is a proliferation of internal laws and regulations, including the largest environmental permit trading scheme in history. It would be erroneous, however, to assume that the emergence of this comprehensive policy landscape has followed an easy or straightforward path; more aptly, the development of climate and energy policy in the European Union has often been preceded by arduous negotiations and significant controversy. Going forward, what are the prospects for continued climate leadership in the European Union, and what role will the legal and institutional framework play?