Variations of European climate solidarity: From intergovernmental to social solidarity relations

Abstract

The EU has developed the narrative of a green and just transition with solidarity and fairness as core principles of the Green Deal. Given the EU’s transformative agenda, this article examines the meaning of climate solidarity in the EU’s political sphere. Because solidarity among EU member states remains a fuzzy concept that lacks political and legal clarity, this article begins by reflecting on the conceptual implications of European solidarity. Next, it examines how climate solidarity has evolved in the post-Paris discourse and also explores, via in-depth document analysis, the sense and purpose of solidarity in the Green Deal. In addition, this article illustrates how solidarity is discussed within two distinct contexts: the green transition (which is about decarbonizing the economy) and the Just Transition (which focuses on aspects of social change in relation to the green transition). Particular attention is paid to the coupling of solidarity with the ‘leave no one behind’ (LNOB) principle. I conclude that solidarity refers primarily to the relationship among member states in order to regulate their modes of intergovernmental cooperation; only recently has it begun to encompass social cohesion and intergenerational justice at the EU level.