The EU in Global and Regional Environmental Negotiations: Does more Cohesiveness Lead to more Effectiveness?

Delreux, Tom [UCL]

This paper analyses the impact of the external context on the relationship between cohesiveness and effectiveness of the European Union in international environmental negotiations. Based on comparative data of nine international negotiations resulting in a multilateral environmental agreement, the paper shows that the EU’s cohesiveness is higher in global negotiations than in regional ones. It argues that the relationship between cohesiveness and effectiveness is not straightforward, yet affected by the relative bargaining power and by the relative position of the EU. When the EU’s relative bargaining power is high, cohesiveness can be counterproductive for effectiveness, but a lack of cohesiveness is not a necessary condition for effectiveness. Furthermore, not having the most reformist position increases the likelihood of effectiveness for the EU; yet effectiveness can also be achieved with the most reformist position if the EU succeeds in making that position externally feasible.