Germany – representing the European Union (EU)

An excellent essay would include an critical assessment of:

• Brief introduction of the country’s economy and vital national interests
• Introduction the country’s associated interest group (if applicable/assigned). What does the group stand for? What do they want to achieve. How does your country fit into it?
• The country’s geography and climate. Its vulnerability to climate change. Current and future threats by natural disaster;
• Public opinion about climate change;
• The country’s history on climate change negotiations: the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement pledges and Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), and it’s mechanisms to reduce global warming;
• Political and/or foreign policy already enacted. Conventions, and resolutions that have been approved and specific actions taken by the government(s);
• Politically feasibility. Critical assessment of your national pledges, targets and INDCs and currently implemented policy to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. Is your country doing what it could do? Are the targets sufficient enough?
• Influence of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on decision making;
• Deforestation, Afforestation and Reforestation actions (if applicable for that country);
• Quotes taken from speeches made by heads of government;
• Current statistical data;