High Level Lecture Series Specialisation on the Environment: A Green Deal for business?

A Green Deal for Business? The EU’s Role in advancing Corporate Responsible Behaviour

The European Union has positioned itself as a global frontrunner in adopting binding norms on corporate responsibility when they operate globally. Recent EU law on due diligence was initially hailed as a landmark in ensuring corporate accountability for human rights and environmental impacts. As a major market, the rules in the EU would help make the global value chains more just and environmentally sustainable. However, the EU’s recent shift of focus on competitiveness, such as the Omnibus Proposal, raises questions about whether the EU is retreating from its sustainability ambitions in favour of “business-friendlier” policies.

This High-Level Lecture will examine the evolving role of the EU in regulating corporate responsibility amid shifting global priorities. If the US, China and other major economies focus on resilience and securing access to critical raw materials, can the EU maintain its leadership in sustainability and corporate accountability? How do the latest EU policies, such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), interact with the EU’s broader green transition strategy, including the Critical Raw Materials Act? Do the recent policy shifts reflect a recalibration of the EU’s commitment to sustainability in the face of economic and geopolitical pressures?

Speakers: 

• Heidi Hautala (Former Vice-President of the European Parliament and long-term Member of European Parliament).

• Bart Devos (Vice President of Public Policy at Responsible Business Alliance).

• Barbara Cooreman (Program Lead, Responsible Sourcing, Environmental Social Governance at Umicore).

Programme

• 18.00 Welcome and introductions - Profs. Trauner and Lizarazo-Rodríguez

• 18.10 Keynote intervention by Former European Parliament Vice-President Heidi Hautala

• 18.30 Moderated panel discussion 

• 19.20 Q&A with audience

• 19.50 Closing

Important information

This event will be attended by students of the MA in European and International Governance, the LLM in International and European Law, and the Advanced Master in European Governance programmes. Students enrolled in these programmes do not need to register through the form.

All other participants must register via the registration form. Please note that only the first 50 registrations will be guaranteed a seat. It is therefore essential that you only register when you are certain of your attendance. As soon as 50 people have registered, the form below will automatically close.