The European Union’s climate diplomacy – trade as a path towards climate neutrality

Abstract

The initial popularity of the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (“EMTA”) has been steadily decreasing since 2019, its environmental impacts and general and vague dispositions have led to widespread opposition – particularly within the EU. This article analyses what lessons can be learnt from the EMTA, looking at the role the exclusive competences of the EU on trade can play in successful climate diplomacy, and in the forging of a path to reach the objectives set forth by European environmental legislation in the current global context of polycrisis.