The European Union’s implementation of the Paris Agreement: accelerating global action towards climate-neutral economies worldwide

The European Union’s implementation of the Paris Agreement: accelerating global action towards climate-neutral economies worldwide

Business and Corporate Law

Beatriz Pérez de las Heras Professor of European Union Law Jean Monnet Chair on European Integration https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4402-2925 http://paginaspersonales.deusto.es/beatrizperez

Research group: «Integración Europea y Derecho Patrimonial en un contexto global» (European Integration and Economic Law in a global context).

The candidate should preferably have a jurist profile, with a good knowledge of the European Union legal and institutional system. Previous knowledge of international relations and political sciences should also be very helpful. A good command of English and digital skills (to search, select and manage information) are also required. No research experience is required.

• Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC)
• Economic Sciences (ECO)

Climate change is widely recognised as one the major challenges shaping the future, with far-reaching and devastating effects on human livelihoods and international security. The Paris Agreement is the essential multilateral framework for global response to address climate change. The cornerstone of the Agreement is the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), that is, the contribution of each country —developed or developing— to the collective effort against climate threat. As a leading actor in climate diplomacy, the European Union (EU) was the first to submit its NDC in the form of the 2030 climate-energy package. However, as highlighted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C, the world is not moving fast enough to prevent irreversible climate disruption. In this context of extreme urgency, the EU is determined to help raise global ambition and lead the way on accelerated climate action. It is ready to update its NDC by 2020, in accordance with the Paris Agreement, and will strengthen cooperation with third countries to mobilise political will to tackle climate change and achieve the full set of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Against this background, the thesis will focus on the EU strategies, legislation and policies to implement the Paris Agreement commitments. It will also assess the EU’s contribution to raising global ambition and moving towards a neutral climate economy.

1. “Beyond Kyoto: the EU’s contribution to a more sustainable world economy”, European Law Journal, nº4, vol.19, 2013, pp. 577-593. ISI Journal Citation Reports, Q1. SCOPUS. 2. “The European Union, the United States, and China dialogue on climate change: respective policies and mutual synergies for a world climate order”, The Georgetown International Environmental Law Review, nº1, vol.XXVI, 2013, pp. 13-46. Journal edited by this prestigious USA University. (CARHUS 2014:B ; ICDS: 6.38) 3. “Adaptation to climate change in the European Union: between supranational action and State reluctance”, The IUCNAEL e-Journal, nº 6, 2015, pp.1-21. Electronic Journal edited by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Academy of International Law. Diffusion at world level. 4. “La gestión eficiente de recursos en la Unión Europea: alcance e impacto de la normativa europea para una economía más sostenible y circular”, Revista de Derecho Comunitario Europeo, nº 55, 2016, pp. 781-818, DOI: 10.18042/cepc/rdce.55.01. Journal indexed in SCOPUS, Q3. 5. “From Kyoto to Paris: the European Union’s contribution to a new world climate order”, Revista Catalana de Dret Ambiental, vol. IX, nº1, 2018, pp. 1-26. Journal indexed in LATINDEX, DOAJ, CARHUS + 2018, ICDS: 5,9

“The European Union Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Scheme: abilities and prospects of a climate governance instrument”. Competitive research project funded by the Basque Government, Department of Education, Universities and Research, 2009-2010. Principal Researcher: Beatriz Pérez de las Heras. 10 researchers contributed to this research, from the University of Oregon (USA), the European University of Florence (Italy), the International Institute for Law and the Environment (Madrid, Spain) and the University of Deusto. Published as a collective book by Thomson-Reuters in 2010, ISBN: 978-84-8355-641-2.

EU law Public International Law International Relations Political Sciences

Yes. Co-supervisor: Inmaculada Herbosa, Associate-Professor of Civil Law at Deusto School of Law, member of the research group «European Integration and Economic Law in a global context».

The proposed topic is interdisciplinary in itself, since climate change tackling is a cross-cutting issue (emissions, circular economy, energy, water, conflict prevention,…). The main focus of the research will be legal, but the analysis will necessarily include economic, social and geopolitical assessments. The candidate will have the chance to discuss about the topic with experts and researchers in the different academic disciplines using the network and contacts of the host research unit.

– H2020 area Environment & Climate Action. Sections: Climate Action, Environment, Resource Efficiency and Raw Materials. -Horizon Europe (2021-2027): Pillar 2-Global Challenges and Industrial Competitiveness, Clusters «Climate, Energy and Mobility» and «Food and Natural Resources». – Sustainable Development Goals (Goals 1, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13)

It will be decided together with the candidate according to his/her specific research situation, thesis proposal and the interdisciplinary aspects of the research project.

The proposed topic for PhD is aligned with Energy, one of the priorities of the Basque Country Smart Specialization Strategy (RIS3). The choice of this sector lies in the strenghts of existing large companies in the region, which are international leaders on renewal sources and energy efficiency, among other aspects. Energy efficiency and renewal energy sources are key components of the EU climate action and sustainable development policy. During the research period, contacts will be established with the following entities, among others: – Department for the Environment and Territorial Policy (Basque Government): http://www.euskadi.eus/gobierno-vasco/departamento-medio-ambiente-politica-territorial/inicio/ – Basque Business Development Agency: https://www.spri.eus/es/ris3-euskadi/ – General Secretariat for External Action (Basque Government): https://www.euskadi.eus/r48-contaorg/es/contenidos/informacion/v2_sgae/es_sgae_org/secretaria_general_accion_exterior.html – BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change : http://www.bc3research.org – Basque Agency for Development Cooperation: http://www.elankidetza.euskadi.eus/x63-homev7/es – Iberdrola (multinational electric utility company): https://www.iberdrola.com/

Industrial doctorate is not envisaged since the programme requires the researcher to be hired by the University of Deusto. However, if the participation of an industrial partner is regarded appropriate, it will be involved in the research and training of the PhD student since the beginning.

As widely known, climate change is a global challenge that demands multilevel responses (international, national, regional and local), as well as bottom-up involvement from civil society. This research project will contribute to understanding the climate-related risks and the international mechanisms that define policies to address these risks. The analysis will particularly be focused on the EU’s role in this regard. The ultimate aim is to generate new knowledge and policy recommendations that may contribute to enhance collective action against climate change. The candidate will have the chance to disseminate main results of the research progress through contributions to international conferences, as well as publications in scientific journals. The research results will also be shared with major regional entities and other stakeholders. Major outcomes will be open accessed through a specific website and social networks, which will provide a bridge between the university and society to raise citizens’ awareness and encourage mobilization for collective action.. Finally, as a result of the accomplishment of this research, the candidate will be in an ideal position to initiate an academic career as a university researcher/teacher within the fields of EU law and international relations. Likewise, the candidate will be suited to a position as expert or adviser on European legal sources and policies relating to climate change and sustainable development.

The research will provide new ideas and encourage initiatives to promote a sustainable academic life in the host institution. Specifically, the University of Deusto launched the Haritza program in 2018, a project aimed to foster sustainable practices in the university community. The proposed PhD and its major results may become a valuable contribution to this program. Beyond the academic field, the research will provide new knowledge and findings that will be transferred to policy makers at local, regional, national and European levels with the aim to inspire further policy and action on climate change and sustainable development. To this end, the above mentioned website and personal interviews with representatives of public institutions and other stakeholders, will provide the key tools for such a transfer of major outcomes to policy makers.

Vulnerable groups, such as children, women, elderly, people with disabilities and marginalized groups, suffer the most the consequences of extreme weather events such as droughts, floods and cyclones caused by climate change. Paying special attention to the needs and interests of these people groups is therefore essential to achieve real sustainable development at all levels. The proposed PhD research will analyse and assess how the EU effectively incorporates concerns for particularly vulnerable groups into the design and implementation of climate and sustainable development policies. Particular attention will be paid to the EU’s new strategy on climate adaptation under the Paris Agreement. In this context, the thesis will highlight the need for a holistic approach to community needs and a participatory and multi-sectoral approach in the design and implementation of policies. It will also focus on the importance of building local capacity to promote community ownership of the policies as a key aspect to ensure the inclusion of vulnerable groups and attain long term sustainability. Deusto is committed to social justice and inclusion. It recognises gender equality as a key driver for sustainable development, inclusive growth and academic opportunity for women. Moreover, to seek real inclusion for people with specific support needs, the project will ensure equal rights and opportunities with respect to access to the programme and the acquisition of skills expected to achieve the PhD.