When climate action is strategic: The case of the European Neighbourhood Policy towards Egypt

Abstract

The EU sees itself as a frontrunner in climate change policy this extends to its foreign policy and relations to third countries. Against this backdrop of EU activity in climate policy it is imperative to study how the EU promotes climate action in its neighbourhood policy. This chapter aims to address this question by studying EU climate change policy as reflected in its neighbourhood policy with reference to Egypt which is a southern neighbour of the EU with recently increased attention due to the hydrocarbon discoveries in its offshore. This makes Egypt a test case to study whether the EU can remain committed to its own long-term commitment to stop climate change and promote other countries to take action. The chapter argues that while the EU promotes climate action in its relations with Egypt it also serves the EU’s interests. © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.