European Union – Debating Development Research

29/04/202529/04/2025

The EU Deforestation Regulation: Chances for Inclusive Sustainable Forest and Agricultural Commodity Chains?

By Marcelo Inacio da Cunha and George T. Mudimu

It is undisputable that addressing deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change requires a collectively effort globally. Although the private sector – as a key element of forest and agricultural value chains – is far from doing enough reduce its share in deforestation, it could serve as a paramount lever if pushed towards effectively halting the expansion of the agricultural frontier into forests.

03/12/2024

Trading with the ‘Jungle’: The European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences

By Jan Orbie, Antonio Salvador Alcazar III and Tinus Sioen

The notions of ‘developing countries’ and ‘development cooperation’ have been waning in discourses by scholars, policymakers and civil society actors. At least rhetorically, the colonial and patronising nature of these notions has been recognised at the European Union (EU) level. For instance, the Development Commissioner has been rechristened as the ‘Commissioner of International Partnerships’ since 2019. In recent years, the EU has pursued plenty of ‘partnerships’ in areas such as climate, energy, trade and deforestation.

19/11/2024

The EU’s Engagement in the G20 – One Way to Deal with Global Power Shifts

By Vy Dang, Sven Grimm and Wulf Reiners / Part of the European Development Policy Outlook Series

The EU has been a permanent member of the G20 since the group was founded in 1999, alongside three member states: France, Germany, and Italy (EU3). Additionally, Spain and the Netherlands are regularly invited as guests to the G20 meetings. Strengthening engagement within the G20 has been one of the key priorities in the EU’s multilateral engagement over the past years, as highlighted in the 2024 Joint Communication by the Commission and High Representative for Foreign Affairs.

06/11/2024

Complex Coherence: Unpacking the EU’s Trade and Development Policy Dilemma

By Frederik Stender and Tim Vogel / Part of the European Development Policy Outlook Series

Trade liberalisation, traditionally seen as a means to promote economic growth and prosperity, has increasingly come under scrutiny for its wider adverse impacts. Increased trade is now also held responsible for environmental degradation, fuelling climate change, and growing inequality, both between high-income countries and developing countries and within the latter. Issues such as child labour remain significant and unresolved, further highlighting the complex challenges associated with global trade practices.

18/03/202419/03/2024

From Development Policy to International Cooperation? Europe’s Evolving Agenda in a Geopolitical Era

By Pauline Veron and Andrew Sherriff / Part of the European Development Policy Outlook Series

The idea that the normative foundations of European development policy would be somewhat immune from geopolitics and national political shifts was always wishful thinking. As policy priorities are being rethought and rewritten, a more openly transactional and self-interested approach to foreign policy and economic relations is gaining momentum. Development policy (and ODA spending) in Europe is increasingly being presented as part of a wider approach to international cooperation rather than something distinct.