Green Diplomacy at the Crossroads of International Law and International Relations

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of green diplomacy as a central instrument at the nexus of international law and international relations, highlighting its transformative role in contemporary global governance. While environmental diplomacy historically revolved around treaty negotiation and compliance, recent developments indicate a shift toward using environmental objectives as mechanisms of geopolitical influence, strategic cooperation, and economic leverage. Drawing on foundational legal instruments, including the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, Montreal Protocol, CBD, CITES, UNCLOS, the Stockholm Declaration, and the 2030 Agenda, this study demonstrates how international law establishes the normative and institutional foundations of climate action, while diplomatic processes operationalize these commitments within political practice. Through integrated case studies, the article analyzes the dynamics of EU–China climate collaboration and competition, the United States’ withdrawal and return to the Paris Agreement, climate justice diplomacy led by Small Island Developing States, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism as a tool of green trade. The research reveals that green diplomacy now extends far beyond environmental protection, shaping global power structures, trade regimes, financial flows, and security agendas. Ultimately, the findings suggest that green diplomacy is emerging as a multidimensional governance framework capable of reconfiguring international relations in an era defined by climate urgency, technological transition, and heightened environmental interdependence.