ENVIRONMENTAL AGREEMENTS BETWEEN COMPANIES, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND COMPETITION

Abstract

Abstract: Environmental agreements between companies are the expression of a way of acting together to fulfill, voluntarily or by legal requirement, environmental goals, such as reducing pollution or fighting climate change. However, under European Union law, the acceptance of those agreements depends on their compliance with competition rules, as they must not affect trade between member states. Thus, this article reflects on the importance of environmental agreements between companies as cooperation instruments that strengthen corporate social responsibility and the extent to which they are compatible with European Union’s competition law.   

Keywords: Agreements, environment, companies, competition