40 Questions
What is the primary motivation behind the EU's leadership ambition in international climate policy?
To project itself as a united leader on the international political scene
What was the outcome of the 1992 Maastricht Treaty on environmental policy?
It implied a shift in sovereignty away from separate member states
What is the key difference between a 'pusher' and a leader in the context of international environmental regimes?
A pusher advocates for strong joint commitments, while a leader influences a group to adopt a particular line of policy.
Why did the EU choose to take a leading role in international climate policy despite the economic and environmental incentives for remaining Annex I countries to go alone being weak?
To fill the leadership vacuum created by the US's withdrawal
According to the Blackwell Encyclopedia of Political Science, what is the definition of leadership?
The power of a few individuals to induce a group to adopt a particular line of policy.
What was one cause of the EU's inability to play a leadership role in the making of the Climate Convention?
The tax controversy.
What is the primary challenge to international cooperation on climate change according to Hypothesis 1 and 2?
The lack of economic and environmental incentives for remaining Annex I countries
What was the notable exception to the EU's lack of leadership in the climate negotiations between 1992 and 1997?
The Berlin Mandate.
How can EU climate policy be understood in a strategic policy perspective?
As a means to project itself as a united leader on the international political scene
What was removed as an obstacle to EU leadership in the climate negotiations in 1997?
The tax proposal.
What is the regime theory perspective on international cooperation on climate change?
That cooperation is driven by institutional momentum
What is the free riding problem in the context of international climate cooperation?
When countries do not contribute to the global effort to address climate change
What is implied by the concept of 'free riding' in the context of international cooperation?
One country will benefit from the cooperation of others without contributing itself.
What is the significance of institutional momentum in the context of international environmental regimes?
It refers to the ability of institutions to maintain momentum in the negotiation process.
What is the implication of the US exit in 2001 for the EU's leadership ambition?
It created a window of opportunity for the EU to succeed in its leadership ambition
What is the main difference between regime theory and neorealism in the context of international cooperation?
Regime theory focuses on institutions, while neorealism focuses on states.
What opportunity did climate change negotiations provide for the European Union?
To establish its institutional presence in international environmental matters
What was the perception of the EU by the media, general public, and environmental NGOs?
As a pusher and leader in the climate process
What was the reason for the EU's limited leadership capability during the initial phase of climate negotiations?
Internal controversy over EU climate policy
What was the effect of the EU Commission's proposal for a carbon/energy tax?
It blocked progress towards a more ambitious EU climate policy
What was the main characteristic feature of EU climate policy before 1997?
Internal strife over the means of implementing reduction targets
What was Germany's aim in reducing GHG emissions by 2000?
25% reduction
What was the external effect of the EU's internal controversy over climate policy?
A more passive and not very innovative negotiation performance
What was the EU's leadership ambition during the initial phase of climate negotiations?
High ambition
What is the underlying motivation for the EU's ambition to be a global leader in international climate policy?
To reinforce its internal institutional and political cohesion
What is a key challenge to international cooperation on climate change?
Free riding by certain countries
What is the relationship between the EU's international ambitions and its internal cohesion?
The EU's internal cohesion is necessary for its international ambitions
What motivates the EU to take a united stance on environmental policy?
To make its mark as a united and strong global actor
What is the significance of the Maastricht Treaty in the context of EU environmental policy?
It marks a turning point towards majority voting on EU environmental policy decisions
How does regime theory relate to international cooperation on climate change?
It explains the challenges of international cooperation on climate change
What is the significance of the 1990s in the context of EU international ambition?
It was a period of institutional momentum towards concerted foreign policy-making
What is the relationship between EU leadership ambition and internal institutional cohesion?
The EU's internal institutional cohesion is necessary for its leadership ambition
What was the outcome of the EU's internal burden-sharing agreement for the 15% reduction of three GHGs by 2010?
A noticeable increase in international credibility
Which country demonstrated instrumental leadership during the Kyoto negotiations?
United States
What was the characteristic of EU decision-making during the Kyoto negotiations?
Unwieldy and introspective
What was the outcome of the EU's efforts to protect the environmental integrity of the Kyoto Protocol?
Failure to ensure domestic action
What was the consequence of the EU's conflict with the US-led Umbrella Group?
The breakdown of the 6th Session of the Conference of the Parties
What was the EU's leadership role in international climate policy before the US withdrawal from the Kyoto agreement?
Not very successful
What was the EU's ambition in terms of climate policy?
To demonstrate leadership ambition
What can be inferred about the EU's role in international climate policy during the Kyoto negotiations?
The EU failed to present a united position due to internal strife
Study Notes
The EU's Leadership Ambition in Climate Policy
- The EU attempted to play a lead role in the drive for international regulatory policies to reduce GHG emissions, particularly after the US exit in 2001.
- The EU saw the climate issue as an opportunity to project itself as a united leader on the international political scene and to develop its "foreign policy."
The EU's Climate Policy and Leadership
- The EU adopted a stabilization target in October 1990, with some member states (e.g., Germany) aiming for a 25% reduction of GHGs by 2000.
- The EU's leadership ambition was hindered by internal controversy over its climate policy, particularly the carbon/energy tax proposal.
- The EU's external performance in the climate process was passive and not very innovative due to internal strife.
The EU's Role in the Climate Negotiations
- The EU's pusher image was sustained, but it provided little leadership during the initial phase of climate negotiations.
- The EU's internal burden-sharing agreement gave it more credibility internationally, but its leadership role was uncertain due to modest economic costs.
- The US demonstrated instrumental leadership during the Kyoto negotiations, and the EU spent most of its time negotiating with itself.
The EU's Post-Kyoto Performance
- The EU failed to present a single proposal at COP 4 in Buenos Aires in 1998 due to internal strife.
- The EU fought to protect the environmental integrity of the Kyoto Protocol, particularly by proposing a cap on emissions trading and minimizing the admission of using sinks as a climate measure.
- The EU's positions generated a strong conflict with the US-led Umbrella Group, leading to the breakdown of the 6th Session of the Conference of the Parties in The Hague in 2000.
The EU's Institutional and Political Cohesion
- The EU's efforts to develop a coherent climate policy were influenced by its internal institutional and political changes, such as the development towards European integration and the 1992 Single European Market.
- The Maastricht Treaty implied a shift in sovereignty away from separate member states in several issue areas, including environmental policy.
- The EU needed to secure greater internal institutional and political cohesion to fulfill its ambitions as a credible global actor.
Explore the role of the European Union in climate politics and its leadership ambition in the climate process. Learn about the economic and environmental incentives behind the EU's climate actions.
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