INTERNATIONAL POLICY ANALYSIS Course Corrections for Cancún The European Union and International Climate Politics SEVERIN FISCHER/ JO LEINEN November 2010 ࡯ The Copenhagen World Climate Conference in December 2009 ended with a non­binding declaration of intent. The Copenhagen Accord did not live up to the goals the EU had laid down. ࡯ The impasse in international climate negotiations continued in 2010, with the indus­trialised nations, on one side, and the developing and rapidly industrialising coun­tries, on the other. Crucial issues remain unresolved. ࡯ The EU failed in its role of agenda-setter and was unable to implement its climate protection proposals. At the follow-up conference in Cancún at the end of 2010 the EU will concentrate on achieving partial successes with regard to specific issues with a revised strategy and modified goals. ࡯ While hopes of a legally binding climate protection agreement remain modest, numerous bilateral and multilateral projects initiated outside the official negotiations can function as catalysts. This could offer the EU a new role as the driving force of this development.