New project: adelphi examines climate diplomacy narratives for the European Commission

Seizing opportunities for economic development, adaptation to climate change impacts, livelihood security – countries face different challenges. adelphi examines the relevance of climate diplomacy narratives in order to fully exploit the potential of cooperation for an ambitious EU climate policy.

The international climate negotiations are about to enter the final stage for the development of an international agreement to be adopted at the climate conference in Paris 2015. In addition to the international negotiations, climate diplomacy affects a number of strategic topics in the field of foreign policies and has therefore become a strategic issue of high relevance.

Against this backdrop, adelphi now supports DG Climate Action of the European Commission in the conceptualization of EU climate diplomacy narratives together with its project partners, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the Institute for European Studies (IES) at Brussels Free University. The support includes providing input for developing EU climate narratives for EU outreach activities intended to create the necessary political momentum for climate action and to support partner countries in moving towards low carbon and more climate resilient societies.

More specifically, the project has two objectives: The first is to develop climate policy messages tailored to respective regions and country groups. For example, while some may be more interested in opportunities for economic development, other may focus on questions of climate-resilient development and livelihood security. These messages will be based on established EU climate policy lines and contribute to implement the 2013 joint reflection paper "EU climate diplomacy for 2015 and beyond" prepared by the European Commission and the External Action Service. The second objective is to provide information on domestic climate policy developments in partner countries in order to better address their need and priorities.