1.1.3. EU policy commitments

1.1.3. EU policy commitments

Systematic environmental integration is a legal obligation established by the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union which stipulates that environmental protection requirements must be integrated into the definition and implementation of the Union’s policies and activities, in particular with a view to promoting sustainable development (Art. 11).

The European Consensus on Development (2017) reaffirms poverty eradication as the primary development objective, but it also integrates and balances the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Structured around the '5 Ps' of the 2030 Agenda for People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships, the Consensus reaffirms the EU commitment to policy coherence for development. It also reaffirms that 'the EU and its Member States will integrate environment and climate change throughout their development cooperation strategies, including by promoting a sound balance between mitigation and adaptation'.

European Green Deal

In 2019 the EU launched its sustainable growth strategy, the European Green Deal, setting out its priorities to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent, become a world leader in the circular economy, eliminate pollution, protect biodiversity, decouple economic growth from natural resource use and mobilise finance.

With the Green Deal, all EU actions and policies should help the EU achieve a successful and just transition towards a climate neutral and sustainable future. The Green Deal lays the foundation to mainstream climate and the environment in all EU policies, pursuing green finance and investment, greening national budgets, enhancing skills, mobilising research, and promoting innovation for a green and just transition. It also includes a green oath to do no harm.

The Green Deal and its components have a strong external dimension. Not only do many of its policies directly affect countries outside the EU, but it also commits the EU to promote and support ambitious environmental and climate action across the world; step up bilateral engagement with partner countries through diplomacy, trade policy and development support; integrate the Green Deal’s priorities into all interventions; and continue to help channel both public and private funds to support green investment and a just transition. The Green Deal external dimension opens new opportunities for international partnerships, not only in response to EU priorities but also for the promotion of bilateral interests, strengthening the EU’s leadership in critical sectors such as clean energy, urban development and sustainable transport, whilst ensuring access to critical raw materials.

Figure 2. The European Green Deal is a package of policy initiatives that aims to set accelerate the green transition in the EU

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Click here to learn more about the main Green Deal policies and measures of relevance for international cooperation.