Taking the temperature of the EU Green Deal
This Policy Study was written in the framework of the FEPS YAN (Cycle 7) by the Working Group on the EU Green Deal (members: Hendrik Theine, Paul Hadji-Lazaro, Stine Quorning, Thomas Fröhlich, Timon Forster).
The Young Academics Network is a cooperation between the Karl-Renner-Institut and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies. It gathers promising progressive PhD candidates and young PhD researchers ready to use their academic experience in a debate about the Next, Progressive Europe.
Abstract
The European Green Deal (EGD) aims to make Europe climate neutral by 2050 while ensuring a just transition for all. However, the EGD’s high level of ambition and broad scope is not adequately reflected in member states’ commitments, and interest groups attempt to shape the EGD according to their preferences.
Given these circumstances, how can the promise of a green and just European Green Deal be realised? To shed light on this research question, the authors of this FEPS YAN Policy Study build on insights from political economy on the influence of interest groups in policymaking. Analytically, the authors propose a framework that integrates distinct sources of power (structural vis-à-vis instrumental) and a range of political strategies (quiet vis-à-vis noisy politics).
Empirically, they study two cases central to the EGD: the ‘EU Biodiversity Diversity Strategy for 2030’ to protect nature and ecosystems; and the ‘Hydrogen Strategy’ to power a climate-neutral economy. Based on lobbying activities with members of the European Commission and the European Parliament, the authors identify key stakeholders, their framing, and strategies. The findings have important implications for understanding the interplay of relevant actors and EU institutions and their influence on European policy.