European Development Cooperation: Brokering Environmental Knowledge beyond Lisbon

This report provides an overview of the current policy framework of EU Development Cooperation with as a main objective an assessment of how environmental concerns are being mainstreamed. It is timely since it follows the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1st December 2009 and the subsequent changes of the ‘playing field’ when it comes to EU development cooperation. It is also being published a few months after the Copenhagen negotiations where developing and emerging countries voiced their concerns on climate change.

The integration of environmental issues in the EU’s development cooperation merits attention as the EU, European Commission and member states combined, is the world’s largest donor providing over 60% of all official development assistance (ODA) but also because other internal and external EU policies are affecting the environment in developing countries.