NextGenerationEU and the UN sustainable development goals

How does a regional organisation such as the European Union (EU) align with a global governance institution such as the United Nations (UN), apart from EU member state participation in entities such as the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)? A clear trend towards the harmonisation of EU and UN agendas has been initiated since the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the European Semester (ES) in December 2019. Accordingly, country reports now include an analysis by the European Commission on how EU member states are applying the UNSDGs. These coordination efforts are also evident in the NextGenerationEU (NGEU) project, particularly through the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF). Furthermore, aligning the objectives of the NGEU with the development and climate change goals established by the UN has been a driving force behind the EU’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our chapter adopts a mixed theoretical approach, using neofunctionalism and historical institutionalism as theoretical lenses to analyse and interpret developments observed. The overall discussion is rooted in the underpinnings of global governance, as to investigate how the alignment of the EU and UN environmental agendas has influenced European fiscal governance, and explores the dynamics and challenges of global climate governance. The integration of the UNSDGs into the ES and the establishment of the NGEU solidify new patterns of governance and financial cooperation within the EU. As the pursuit of a sustainable future remains central to transnational governance, additional initiatives are likely to emerge. It is anticipated that after the UNSDGs conclude in 2030, the ES will become a crucial component fostering future partnerships. Finally, our chapter considers implications on a global scale, considering ‘green spillover effects’ on competing initiatives in other geographical regions and the impact on the private sector. Based on theoretical reasoning, we argue that alignment of EU policies with the SDGs reflects more than a commitment to global sustainability: it propels further integration and a shift towards enhanced patterns of (regional) transnational governance.<br>