Dr Rafael Leal-Arcas, Professor of European and International Economic Law and Director of Research at QMUL's Centre for Commercial Law Studies (CCLS), has been invited to speak on 'The trade dimensions of clean energy diplomacy.' The presentation will be part of the workshop 'Strengthening Europe?s sustainable energy and climate technology diplomacy: Harnessing networks for norm leadership [PDF 268KB]', at the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, Brussels, Belgium, 1 June 2016.
The European Union has long played a leadership role in the global response to climate change and the related challenge of increasing access to sustainable energy for development. To maintain and extend this diplomatic asset, the EU faces challenges including the proliferation of multiple negotiating tracks and processes, the growing importance of non-EU sources of finance and technology, and the centrality of technology in global climate and sustainable energy governance. If the EU can respond to these developments with innovative diplomacy, it has an opportunity to augment its contribution to global progress on climate change and sustainable energy.
This workshop will bring together decision-makers from the EU’s institutions, the Party of European Socialists and other Brussels-based stakeholders to evaluate this changed diplomatic landscape. This evaluation will inform roundtable discussions of EU policy-makers and other stakeholders on actions to strengthen climate technology and energy diplomacy.