The European Union’s imprint on both the global environment and on environmental policy beyond its borders has been sizeable. This influence will likely remain in the years ahead, although its role as a driver of progress is challenged as major economic players and new international political dynamics emerge.
How should EU’s role evolve in a changing world? How can the EU and its Member States best support the delivery of global commitments, such as the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? How should their implementation be held to account? What can Europe offer – and learn – through efforts on global dialogue and diplomacy? How can its own policies align better to global imperatives?
IEEP’s work on Global Challenges and SDGs focuses on the global dimension and external impacts of EU policies, both positive and negative. We support the development of environmental and environment-related policies with global implications as well as feed into relevant international processes and discussions. In particular, we aim to ensure that the EU will deliver on its commitments to the global climate and 2030 SDG agendas, both in terms of its internal and external policies.
Highlights
Implementation of SDGs is up for review again at the UN High Level Political Forum (HLPF) from 16 – 18 July in New York. The meeting provides a window of opportunity to influence the implementation of the SDGs in the EU It is also a chance to ensure that environmental considerations are placed more in the heart of the agenda and taken into account during the following HLPFs, especially in terms of the 4-year stocktake in 2019.
In the run-up to the meeting, a new IEEP briefing reviews the current state of SDG implementation and identifies how it could be improved.
Achieving gender equality in Europe in research and science, in line with the spirit of the European Commission’s strategic engagement for gender equality, the European pillar of social rights and SDG5, remains a major challenge.
IEEP Executive Director, Céline Charveriat, explores the achievements and areas of improvement for gender equality in European research.
IEEP Lead of Global Challenges and SDGs Programme, Marianne Kettunen, co-authored the UNDP call for action to safeguard nature in order to secure water-related services and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
New study by IVM and IEEP concludes that the existing approach to assessing impacts of EU trade on biodiversity is inadequate. A more comprehensive approach building on more systematic use of biodiversity indicators and synchronized, fit-for-purpose use of different methods is needed.
Download the IEEP 2018 calendar to stay up to date with the most important dates for European and international environmental policy.
The EU contributes to halting the global loss of biodiversity through conservation efforts within its own territory as well as at the global level. IEEP’s Marianne Kettunen explores the EU’s external biodiversity policy, arguing the need for a more coherent framework and effective implementation – and making the policy integral to EU’s action on SDGs at the global level.
There is mounting interest in biomass to provide heat, power and, transport fuels but also as a basis for alternative products for replacing plastics, and other fossil fuel derived commodities. How can the bioeconomy and the bioenergy sector evolve to deliver sustainable, coordinated and efficient use of resources?
Read IEEP's 3 key conclusions on the European Commission's much anticipated EU Plastics Strategy.
The EU contributes to halting the global loss of biodiversity through conservation efforts within its own territory as well as at the global level. IEEP’s Marianne Kettunen explores the EU’s external biodiversity policy, arguing the need for a more coherent framework and effective implementation – and making the policy integral to EU’s action on SDGs at the global level.
When: Tuesday, 21st November 2017, 11:00-12:30
Where: Room JDE 61, EESC, rue Belliard 99, 1040 Brussels
Speakers:
- Christophe Yvetot, Representative to the EU, UNIDO – EU’s circular economy and sustainable industrialisation pathways in the developing world: opportunities, challenges and best practices
- Werner Schmidt, Director, European Investment Bank – What instruments are there for financing the circular economy in developing countries?
- Richard Gower, Senior Associate, Tearfund: How do we ensure that the circular economy benefits the world’s poor?
- Marianne Kettunen, Deputy Head of Green Economy Programme, IEEP: Recommendations for policy design in the EU
Negotiations between the EU and US on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) were launched in 2013.
The Commission’s renewed strategy on EU outermost regions puts forward a new approach to foster development and appears rather ‘green’, acknowledging the ORs’ rich biodiversity as a unique natural asset.
Marking the 2nd anniversary of the SDGs, IEEP discussed implementation of the goals with the Estonian Presidency
How do we harness the emotional power of language better to reduce our destructive impact on the natural world? Can we stop speaking like eurocrats and start speaking like people?
2017 is an important year for discussing the future of Europe. A key basis for this debate is the White Paper of the European Commission alongside subsequent reflection pieces regarding specific dimensions of European policy, including the social dimension of Europe, globalization, the Economic and Monetary Union, European defense and European finances.
This report presents the state of play of legal and operational issues to be tackled with a view to better support a transition towards a green and circular economy in the EU Outermost Regions (ORs), including Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion Island, Saint-Martin, the Azores, Madeira and the Canary Islands.
Andrew Farmer examines the role of the better regulation agenda in shaping the processes and wider atmosphere surrounding the future of EU environmental policy.
With the Brexit process being formally started, it is time to consider the importance that sharing experience has for the development of concepts and principles in environmental policy says Nigel Haigh, former director of IEEP. Read more in his article here.
Together with Greener UK, IEEP's David Baldock discussed the need for strong UK institutions to effectively implement post-Brexit environmental laws. Read the full Guardian article here.
IEEP’s London Director Martin Nesbit discussed Brexit and climate implications with Susanne Ehlerding from Der Tagesspiegel.
