Renewable Energy Policy Convergence in the EU

'This is a theoretically well-grounded and empirically rich study of a highly important topic. It offers fascinating insights on the evolution of an innovative policy instrument cutting across environmental and energy policy. A recommendable book not only for those interested in these policy fields, but also for readers with a general interest in theories of policy change.' Christoph Knill, Unversitt Konstanz, Germany 'The EU is actively searching for new ways to govern that do not make "Brussels" any bigger. David Jacobs' subtle empirical analysis of feed in tariff policies in three countries, ably demonstrates how it can trigger cross-national policy convergence using softer modes of governance. He manages to shed much new light on the EU's ability to govern in policy areas where its involvement is politically contested.' Andrew Jordan, University of East Anglia, UK 'Jacobs volume will not merely be of interest to scholars of comparative and European politics, as well as practitioners of renewable energy policy, but compulsory reading. ... this is a well-crafted analysis that covers its themes in great detail. The excellent introductory and framework chapters feature unparalleled overviews of the current theoretical and empirical literature on the subject, and the case study chapter on solar photovoltaics is superb. The volume would also be of interest to any comparativist as its small-n analysis of convergence is expertly constructed. As Jacobs notes (p. 201), domestic factors alone cannot be expected to explain policy development in an increasingly globalised world, such that analysing countries as interdependent rather than independent actors will be of increasing importance for political scientists in future. Understanding the nature of this interaction and convergence is increasingly salient in modern international politics, and Jacobs has written what will be seen as a landmark text for many years to come.' Political Studies Review

David Jacobs is a Research Associate at the Environmental Policy Research Center (FFU), Freie Universitt Berlin, Germany

1: Introduction; 2: The Theoretical Framework; 3: The Empirical Framework; 4: The Evolution of Design Options for Basic Feed-in Tariffs; 5: The Evolution of Design Options for Tariff Differentiation and Adjustment; 6: The Evolution of Design Options for System and Market Integration; 7: The Evolution of Tariff Levels; 8: Powering Cross-National Policy Convergence; 9: Conclusion