The EU aims to become the world champion of biodiversity with the European Biodiversity Strategy 2030, and its 2030 targets for biodiversity are set to be adopted at the Biodiversity Summit in Kunming, China in October 2021. The question is whether the EU will succeed in this ambition with the biodiversity policy and the diplomatic actions it is taking.
With the Paris Agreement and the Green Deal, the European Union (EU) has a good basis on which to take an important position in international climate policy. However, in order to have a real impact on the international scene, the EU will have to take additional steps. This article describes what the EU can do to maintain and expand its leadership role in international climate policy.
In shaping the internal market in the European Union, much attention has been given to matters such as harmonizing rules and preventing discrimination, so that there is a level playing field. Economic interests seem to have received more attention than an issue such as environmental protection. Therefore, this article answers the following question: what does the level playing field mean for environmental protection and what opportunities are there?
With the Green Deal and the climate law, the European Union is showing its green ambition. However, the question is whether it will be just fine words, or whether there will be action. Especially with regard to finances, the past shows that goals are often not achieved. The European Court of Auditors has an important role in this.
The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was established after the Second World War, but not without a struggle. Establishing a joint policy in such a fragmented and complex policy area as agriculture, and the way in which this was done, is exemplary for the often opportunistic and nationalistic attitude of countries and cooperation in Europe. The central question in this article is therefore whether the CAP has turned out to be Europe's salvation or Achilles heel.