Populists agitate against the globalized world – be it migration, the free flow of goods, of information, or institutions of international cooperation. Yet, climate change and sustainable development – among many other topics – are challenges that cannot be tackled by any single country alone. The Western world finds itself at a crossroads – with political drawbridges rising – and time is running short for the international community to develop a coherent strategy in the fight against climate change.

Berlin, Brussels, London, Paris - climate diplomacy in times of populism in focus

What are the implications for climate diplomacy resulting from the rise of populism in Europe? What will the consequences be of a new US president with an agenda that does not recognize the realities of a changing climate? How can climate and energy policy strengthen the vision for the EU? How will Brexit impact climate and energy policy and cooperation in Europe, and the EU’s leadership role in climate negotiations? What impact will the elections in Germany and France have on energy relations?

In order to find answers to these and other questions, adelphi will hold four roundtables in major European cities to better understand the future landscape of climate diplomacy and energy relations given changing international political circumstances. adelphi partners with the Institute for European Studies in Brussels, the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) in Paris, and the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College in London. The series Drawbridges up, climate policy down - decarbonization without leadership? is supported by the German Federal Foreign Office. Each of the roundtables will address a specific theme, namely:

• The Future of Decarbonization and EU Cooperation (Brussels)
• Implications for Climate Policy and Ambitions (London)
• Implications for International Climate Negotiations (Paris)
• Implications for the Climate Science-Policy Interface (Berlin)

adelphi and our partner institutions will summarize the key findings from the four-part discussion series in a single policy brief that will be disseminated to policy-makers. A public discussion will take place during this year’s Climate Diplomacy Week (19-25 June) in Berlin.

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