EU Climate Diplomacy Towards the IMO and ICAO

This book delves into the topic of the European climate diplomacy and the ways it is performed, both internally in terms of constructing a negotiating position, and externally in regards to how the European Union (EU) as a whole exports this position at the international level. To do that, the analytical framework is built around two major pillars: first, the literature on European public policy, specifically regarding policymaking, and second, the Normative Power Europe approach. Aiming to test whether European climate diplomacy actually works, the book utilizes two examples/case studies, namely the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The selection of these examples is based on an array of rationales, but the main reason is that both international organizations (IOs) do not contribute (at least their fair share) in the global efforts of tackling climate change. The book thus showcases the strategically driven efforts of the EU as whole to export its climate norm to these two IOs. It argues that, if it weren’t for the EU, these two organizations would not have been active in negotiating on climate change issues to such extent.

“Indeed, the book contributes much to the literature on climate diplomacy and EU external relations. ... Its theoretical framework can be applied to a wide range of policy fields, thus allowing scholars and policymakers to evaluate the actual normative power of the EU. ... its rich theoretical discussion and its rigorous analysis, the latter observation is enough to render this book a point of reference vis-à-vis the study of EU foreign policy.” (Angelos Angelou, European Political Science, Vol. 24 (4), 2025)

“George Dikaios has addressed in his research a missing link for a better understanding of how climate diplomacy is delivered in the EU. The trinity analytical framework that he is proposing is a fresh and necessary change in the way the EU acts in the international arena. Focus on transport and especially maritime and aviation who are among the biggest polluters, validates his points even stronger. With this book, we got an important tool for better utilization of climate diplomacy and possible ways forward for stronger resilience and climate problem-solving.”
--Dr Violeta Bulc, engineer, innovator, former European Commissioner for Transport

“George Dikaios explores in a comprehensive and fascinating way European climate diplomacy by looking at international transport modes. The book fills a gap in the literature by analyzing contemporary case studies and operationalizing the concept of climate diplomacy. Using extensive primary material includinginterviews with key officials the author makes a substantial contribution relevant to experts and non-experts alike.”

“This excellent book by George Dikaios, based on extensive fieldwork, presents the reader with new and exciting evidence of how the European Union acts in the field of climate diplomacy. It focuses on the aspirations of the EU to influence the international negotiations of utmost importance to contemporary world, over reducing carbon dioxide emissions. By providing a detailed and fascinating account of the EU’s efforts to exercise its normative power, this book lets us understand why there has not been any substantial change in this field so far. “

--Associate Professor Karolina Pomorska, Leiden University, The Netherlands

George Dikaios is affiliated to the Department of Political Science and Public Administration & the Department of Ports Management and Shipping of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece. He is also a Senior Research Fellow of the UNESCO Chair on Climate Diplomacy.