Introduction: EU External Relations Law and Sustainability

Amidst growing global environmental challenges, the importance of sustainability in international relations has escalated, positioning the European Union (EU) as a pivotal player in promoting global sustainable development. This book, entitled “EU External Relations Law and Sustainability: The EU, Third States and International Organizations” delves deeply into the integration of sustainability within the European Union’s external action, reflecting its increasing prominence on the international political agenda and its ambition to contribute to reaching the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of the book is to consolidate diverse legal perspectives and discussions about the EU’s approach to sustainability, both from inside the EU, but in particular also from the outside. It chronicles the EU’s strategic efforts to weave sustainability into its external relations and examines its role in shaping international standards through policy initiatives and practical implementations.