Leadership and Partnerships for the European Green Deal: EU relations with (re)emerging economies

The European Green Deal (EGD) has been described as a transformation strategy for the European continent, but its success also depends on cooperation at global level. The EU intends to engage other actors and show international leadership on the climate agenda and the energy transition. This paper analyses the external dimension of the EGD, with a focus on global partnerships and EU leadership. Specifically, it examines EU relations with (re)emerging economies, in particular China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, and South Africa. Based on information acquired through cooperation with local research institutions, the paper examines prospects for partnership between the EU and these countries in the implementation of EGD goals. We argue that the EU can adopt different types of leadership to promote the energy transition in re(emerging) economies. Leadership by example, through coalitions and assistance promote cooperation with partner countries, whereas leadership through coercion involves costs for states that do not advance climate action. National climate agendas and the political and economic nature of relations with the EU determine which type of leadership is more effective in advancing EGD goals.