Cooperation with non-EU countries & regions

The EU works closely with other countries and regions to advance dialogue and cooperation on climate change.

Climate action is an integral part of the EU's foreign policy agenda. Through climate diplomacy and cooperation initiatives, the EU aims to build political will and trust to advance global action, ensure the effectiveness of development cooperation, and build capacity to support partner countries in their efforts.

Areas of cooperation

These include:

Dialogue and cooperation on climate policy development and implementation under the UN climate convention and other international fora
Sharing expertise – e.g. through bilateral and multilateral cooperation initiatives on emissions trading
Financing to support developing countries in their efforts to tackle climate change and adapt to its impacts
Development cooperation on issues such as adaptation, mitigation, disaster risk reduction and desertification
Supporting the transfer of technology and research collaboration – e.g. through Horizon 2020
Integrating sustainable development into EU trade policy

Partners

The Commission has bilateral arrangements with key partners and works with a number of regional organisations:

OECD countries – e.g. US, Canada, Japan, Australia
Other UNFCCC Annex I countries – e.g. Russia, Ukraine
Emerging economies – e.g. Brazil, China, India, South Africa, South Korea
Regional groupings – e.g. African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN), Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM), Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) countries, Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)