The EU is traditionally considered as a ‘leader’ in environmental politics and has committed itself to promote sustainable development internally and externally. This commitment manifests itself in various EU standards and policies concerning the environment, but also other sectors. Hence, we embrace a comprehensive understanding of ‘sustainability policy’, including a broad range of related policies such as energy, climate, waste, water, transport, security, trade etc.
The interdisciplinary research workshop aims to bring together scholars and practitioners in the field to focus on analysing the external dimension of EU sustainability policy. The workshop seeks to critically address research questions such as the following: How is the EU contributing to (or undermining) sustainable development beyond its borders? How are sustainability concerns integrated in EU foreign policies towards neighbouring countries and other world regions? What is the EU’s role in the global energy transition? How is the EU performing in bilateral and multilateral negotiations? And finally, what are the repercussions of EU external sustainability policy for European integration?
In addition to the questions raised above, the workshop seeks to provide insights into external perceptions of the EU as a global actor in sustainability policy. Thus, the objective of the workshop is to discuss research topics also from an ‘outside-in perspective’. Ideally, the papers should address at least one of the following themes:
– EU foreign policy-making for sustainable development
– EU and the global energy transition
– EU sustainability policy towards International Organisations (IOs), Regional Organisations (ROs), neighbouring countries as well as other world regions (i.e. Asia, Latin America, Africa)
– EU member states’ external sustainability policies in comparative perspective
– EU relations with emerging powers (BRICS etc.)
– Perceptions of the EU as a global actor in sustainability policy (outside-in perspective)
– Impact of external sustainability policy on European integration

To propose a contribution, please send a 200 word-abstract to Dr Kristina Kurze, kristina.kurze@sowi.uni-goettingen.de and Prof Thomas Hoerber thomas.hoerber@essca.fr before Friday 10 January 2020.