Sustainable Development Goals as Instruments of Soft Power – EU as a Case Study of Influence in the Global South
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Sustainable_Development_Goals_as_Instruments_of_Soft_Power_–_The_EU_as_a_Case_Study_of_Influence_in_the_Global_South.pdf (128.46 KB)
0000-0002-3432-0358 Date
2026
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Centrum Europejskie Uniwersytetu Warszawskiego
Abstract
In the contemporary geopolitical landscape, the European Union is increasingly reorienting its foreign policy towards sustainability, leveraging the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to project global influence. However, a significant research gap persists concerning the specific use of energy-related goals – particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) – as a dedicated instrument of soft power in relations with the Global South. This article analyses how the EU utilises SDG 7 as a soft power instrument, seeking to identify the specific mechanisms of this influence and the key strategic programmes through which it is implemented. Employing an analytical-synthetic approach based on qualitative desk research, the study critically analyses EU strategic documents (such as the Global Gateway) and relevant academic literature. The findings confirm that the EU’s clean energy investments function as a multi-level soft power tool, building its image as a ‘global responsible stakeholder’ through green diplomacy, while positioning it as a promoter of sustainable modernisation at the local level. The research identifies the Global Gateway strategy, supported by flagship initiatives such as the Africa-EU Green Energy Initiative (AEGEI) and Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs), as the primary implementation mechanism. The EU is strategically employing SDG 7 to project a distinct form of ‘green soft power’ that hybridises ‘top-down’ influence on elites with ‘bottom-up’ engagement with the broader populace. The article concludes that, while the projection of this soft power is evident, further empirical research – such as field surveys and discourse analysis in recipient countries – is necessary to determine its actual reception and effectiveness in extenso.
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Adamczyk, M., Kubis, J. (2026). Sustainable Development Goals as Instruments of Soft Power – The EU as a Case Study of Influence in the Global South. Studia Europejskie – Studies in European Affairs, 30(1), 21-40.