Is strong sustainability a realistic basis for governing critical raw materials? A debate
By Kenny Ng, Niko Soininen, Charlotte Ehrmann, Myele Rouxel, Kia Duché, Marina Dutra Trindade, Antti Iho, Anni Kärkkäinen, César Soares de Oliveira, Paul Tiensuu and Francesco Venuti. This blogpost reflects on an online debate held in April 2026 by CCEEL’s Sustainability Law research group on the motion “strong sustainability is a realistic and desirable basis […]
Environmental democracy under pressure: The EU and the Aarhus Convention ahead OF MOP-8
by Nicola Sharman, Doctoral Researcher As Europe confronts political divides and challenges over environmental policy, the Aarhus Convention’s promise of environmental democracy faces one of its most significant tests yet. Adopted in 1998, the Aarhus Convention guarantees the three procedural rights of access to information, public participation and access to justice in relation to environmental […]
Carbon Capture and Utilization under EU Law: A Step Towards Carbon Neutrality
By Reza Maddahi, PhD Researcher Source: International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (2022) The European Union (EU) is on a complex journey to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Among the strategies being employed, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) has become a crucial approach alongside carbon capture and storage (CCS). Both technologies play a significant […]
Climate change litigation before the European Court of Human Rights: a new dawn
By Annalisa Savaresi, Professor of International Environmental Law at University of Eastern Finland, Linnéa Nordlander, Assistant Professor of Sustainability, Climate Change, and Human Rights at University of Copenhagen, and Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, Associate Professor of Sustainability Law at University of Amsterdam. First published in the GNHRE blog on 12 April. On 9 April 2024, the European […]
Sustainable finance in the EU – what can corporate reporting schemes add to climate policy
By Saga L Eriksson, PhD Candidate The European Commission introduced the first sustainable finance measures in its 2018 Sustainable Finance Action Plan. The Action Plan has the aim of fostering “stability, transparency and long-termism” in the EU economy and “reorienting” private finance towards achievement of the low carbon transition. The measures are part of the […]
Recognizing the Right to a Healthy Environment at the Council of Europe: Why it matters
By Corina Heri, Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Zurich, Linnéa Nordlander, Assistant Professor at University of Copenhagen, and Annalisa Savaresi, Professor at University of Stirling and Associate Professor, University of Eastern Finland. First published in the GNHRE blog on 5 January 2024. Established in 1949, the Council of Europe (CoE) is the world’s oldest human rights system. It now […]
How to avoid missteps of accelerated EIA and permitting? – Reflections on the proposal for the EU’s Critical Raw Material Act
By Ismo Pölönen, Professor of Environmental Law (Bioeconomy and Natural Resources Law) Photo by Saara Österberg. In March 2023 the EU Commission proposed a Critical Raw Material Act (CRMA). Since then, the proposal has moved from the EU parliamentary reading to trilogue negotiations between the EU Council, Parliament and Commission. The aim is to conclude […]
What is energy solidarity? A view from the EU and the energy crisis
By Leonie Reins, Professor of Public Law and Sustainability, Rotterdam Erasmus School of Law and Kaisa Huhta, Associate Professor of European Law, especially Energy Law, UEF Law School. This Blog has also been published as a Blog on the GreenDeal-NET website. The recent two years have been tumultuous for the European energy sector. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in early […]
The impact-based regulatory strategy in environmental law: Hallmark of effectiveness or pitfall for legitimacy?
By Niko Soininen, Professor of Environmental Law and Water Law, Seita Romppanen, Docent, Senior Lecturer on International Environmental Law and Senior Research Scientist at Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Mika Nieminen, Principal Scientist at Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE) and Sampo Soimakallio, Head of Unit at Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) Environmental law was created to protect […]
EU legislation for clean air at crossroads
By Yulia Yamineva, Docent in Climate Law & Policy (Adjunct Professor) and Delphine Misonne, Professor, Université Saint-Louis – Bruxelles Air pollution has been a long-standing problem in the EU. While it has decreased over the past few decades, not least due to the EU clean air legislation and actions by national and local authorities, poor […]