The future relationship negotiations between the EU and UK is heading towards a crisis.
The publication of the draft UK negotiating text and the exchange of letters between lead negotiators David Frost and Michel Barnier outlined the scale of the differences between the two sides. In particular worrying signs are emerging on climate change indicating serious tensions on this issue.
Given that the EU and UK lead the world on efforts to tackle climate change, what are the reasons behind this difficulty? Is climate being caught in the crossfire of broader political disagreements? Or is this a more serious contagion that could undermine future ambition?
As the UK and Italy prepare to host the delayed COP26 next year, it is vital that Brexit negotiations don’t disrupt the ability of Europe and the UK to work effectively on climate change.
Read the full briefing, Climate Change in the Brexit Negotiations: Crossfire, Contagion and COVID-19 Response here.
