The 2026 Summer School on EU Law in Transition: Business, Sustainability, and Climate Change will address this complex state of affairs and highlight the main legal challenges faced by private actors in the EU's sustainability transition.
Since the adoption of the European Green Deal in December 2019, a myriad of sustainability-related regulations and directives governing corporate behavior have proliferated across the EU. This has produced a wide array of obligations and standards with major implications for EU businesses and their global business partners, raising several fundamental questions: What do these corporate sustainability legal instruments in EU law regulate? What types of obligations do they impose on companies, and what compliance challenges arise? What is the evolving role of businesses in the sustainability transition and climate action, and what are the consequences if they fail to fulfil this role?
Taught by legal scholars and lawyers, the Summer School will equip students, practitioners, and professionals with a solid understanding of how sustainability challenges are addressed by businesses in the EU. Participants will be placed in a position to debate these challenges and gain knowledge on the obligations and legal risks faced by companies both inside and outside of the EU under the rapidly evolving EU sustainability regime. Within the context of the European Green Deal, topics covered will include: the emergence of EU corporate sustainability law, sustainable procurement and public spending, circular business models, business and human rights, EU sustainable finance, investment arbitration, and the role of businesses in climate litigation. A one-day excursion will take place on the third day of the Summer School.
Teaching team:
Prof. dr. Willem Janssen, Endowed Professor, Groningen University; Associate Professor, Utrecht University
Dr. Gonzalo Larrea, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University
Dr. Nikolaos Giannopoulos, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University
Dr. Federica Agostini, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University
Dr. Julie Fraser, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University
Dr. Nikita Divissenko, Assistant Professor, Utrecht University
TBC
Professionals, lawyers, and advanced bachelor, masters, and PhD students. This course is also suitable for non-legal backgrounds, e.g. geosciences, sustainable studies, etc., who are interested in the legal aspects of sustainability.
Four to six teaching hours per day.
When combining this course with another one-week summer course from the 'Recommended combinations' listed below, both modules can be taken for a discounted total price.
Students should apply for both courses separately, and email the relevant coordinators stating that they wish to make use of the discount.
The housing costs do not include a Utrecht Summer School sleeping bag. This is a separate product on the invoice. If you wish to bring your own bedding, please deselect or remove the sleeping bag from your order once you apply for this course.
For this course you are required to upload the following documents when applying: