The EU was marginalised at Copenhagen. As a consequence the Copenhagen Accord neither conceptually nor substantively reflected the EU’s original negotiating position. This failure must lead to a reevaluation of its modus operandi in international negotiations if Europe wishes to match its rhetoric of leadership on climate protection with real influence.

This paper first offers a context for the EU’s approach to climate change followed by a review of EU leadership on the issue; the next section provides an analysis of the content of the Copenhagen Accord and the overall direction of negotiations from a European perspective; the final section assesses the reaction within the EU to the Accord and offers initial thoughts on how the EU might increase its influence at future international climate negotiations.

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