Who Negotiates for Europe? Institutional Composition, Continuity and Representation of the EU Delegation at COP28, COP29 and COP30

Details

Supervisors

Orsini, Amandine

Faculty

Institut d'études européennes Saint-Louis

Degree label

Advanced Master in EU Environmental Governance (POLLEN)

Abstract

enThis dissertation examines the composition of the European Union's institutional delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conferences (COPs) between 2023 and 2025. While existing research has extensively analysed the EU's climate diplomacy, negotiating strategies, and institutional coordination, comparatively little attention has been paid to the individuals who formally represent the EU during negotiations. To address this gap, the study constructs an original dataset of 528 individuals (675 delegate-year observations) nominated to the EU delegations at COP28, COP29, and COP30. The analysis examines patterns of institutional affiliation, continuity, gender, and nationality and relates these findings to the EU's negotiating posture and reported outcomes across the three conferences. The findings show that, despite a sharp reduction in delegation size, its institutional composition remained broadly stable. A relatively small, Commission-centred recurring core provided most of the delegation's continuity, while the majority of participants attended only one conference. The study suggests that continuity and expertise are concentrated within this stable core, although no causal relationship can be established between delegation composition and negotiating outcomes. By focusing on the individuals who constitute the EU delegation, the dissertation provides a new empirical perspective on the organisation of EU climate diplomacy.