The Absence of European Union Engagement in Advancing Its Sustainability Ambitions Abroad: A Case Study of the External Effectiveness of the European Green Deal in Energy-Rich Qatar
(2025) STVM23 20251Department of Political Science
- Abstract
- This thesis examines the external effectiveness of the European Green Deal (EGD) through a case study of Qatar. While the EGD positions the European Union (EU) as a global leader in sustainability, its extraterritorial impact, particularly via the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), raises questions about how these norms are received outside the EU. These directives apply to non-EU companies with a significant net turnover in the EU and impose extensive reporting and due diligence obligations. These directives are politically and economically relevant in both business and diplomatic contexts. Despite increasing research on EU sustainability policies in... (More)
- This thesis examines the external effectiveness of the European Green Deal (EGD) through a case study of Qatar. While the EGD positions the European Union (EU) as a global leader in sustainability, its extraterritorial impact, particularly via the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), raises questions about how these norms are received outside the EU. These directives apply to non-EU companies with a significant net turnover in the EU and impose extensive reporting and due diligence obligations. These directives are politically and economically relevant in both business and diplomatic contexts. Despite increasing research on EU sustainability policies in relation to major global actors, little attention has been given to smaller, yet strategically important, energy-exporting states. This study addresses that gap by analysing the case of Qatar, the EU's third-largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplier, through expert interviews, analyses of official sustainability strategies from both the EU and Qatar, and reviews of public statements by Qatari ministers. Using Schunz's external effectiveness framework and Elkington's Triple Bottom Line (TBL) concept, the thesis explores how EU sustainability legislation is perceived and what implications it has for trade, diplomacy, and regulatory influence. The findings reveal that although the EU holds regulatory and market attraction power, its effectiveness in Qatar is constrained by contextual misalignment, limited engagement, and Qatar's geopolitical leverage in energy trade. Perceptions of the EGD range from viewing it as an opportunity to experiencing confusion and resistance, largely shaped by differing ideas of sustainability priorities. The study concludes that the EGD's influence depends not only on regulatory ambition but also on the EU's ability to communicate clearly and adapt to local contexts. Qatar serves as a compelling example of the limits and possible potential of exporting EU sustainability norms beyond its borders. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9189496
- author
- Westermark, Ebba LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- STVM23 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- European Green Deal, External Effectiveness, Perceptions, CSRD, CSDDD, Energy Trade, Qatar, EU
- language
- English
- id
- 9189496
- date added to LUP
- 2025-08-08 11:38:14
- date last changed
- 2025-08-08 11:38:14
@misc{9189496,
abstract = {{This thesis examines the external effectiveness of the European Green Deal (EGD) through a case study of Qatar. While the EGD positions the European Union (EU) as a global leader in sustainability, its extraterritorial impact, particularly via the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), raises questions about how these norms are received outside the EU. These directives apply to non-EU companies with a significant net turnover in the EU and impose extensive reporting and due diligence obligations. These directives are politically and economically relevant in both business and diplomatic contexts. Despite increasing research on EU sustainability policies in relation to major global actors, little attention has been given to smaller, yet strategically important, energy-exporting states. This study addresses that gap by analysing the case of Qatar, the EU's third-largest Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supplier, through expert interviews, analyses of official sustainability strategies from both the EU and Qatar, and reviews of public statements by Qatari ministers. Using Schunz's external effectiveness framework and Elkington's Triple Bottom Line (TBL) concept, the thesis explores how EU sustainability legislation is perceived and what implications it has for trade, diplomacy, and regulatory influence. The findings reveal that although the EU holds regulatory and market attraction power, its effectiveness in Qatar is constrained by contextual misalignment, limited engagement, and Qatar's geopolitical leverage in energy trade. Perceptions of the EGD range from viewing it as an opportunity to experiencing confusion and resistance, largely shaped by differing ideas of sustainability priorities. The study concludes that the EGD's influence depends not only on regulatory ambition but also on the EU's ability to communicate clearly and adapt to local contexts. Qatar serves as a compelling example of the limits and possible potential of exporting EU sustainability norms beyond its borders.}},
author = {{Westermark, Ebba}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{The Absence of European Union Engagement in Advancing Its Sustainability Ambitions Abroad: A Case Study of the External Effectiveness of the European Green Deal in Energy-Rich Qatar}},
year = {{2025}},
}