Who writes Europe’s rules?
Sustainability laws like CSDDD (Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive) and CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) were designed to hold companies accountable for human rights abuses and climate impact. Yet even before full implementation, parts of these laws are being weakened or delayed. How does lobbying shape EU legislation – and whose interests prevail? In this closing symposium of the ECHO programme, we examine the power dynamics behind European sustainability policy. With MEP (Member of the European Parliament) Lara Wolters, investigative journalist Lise Witteman (Follow the Money) and campaign strategist Jurjen van den Berg (DeGoedeZaak), we explore how legislation is shaped, contested and defended – and what role citizens can play.
Together with Lara Wolters Member of the European Parliament Jurjen van den Bergh Directeur van De Goede Zaak Lise Witteman Journalist Follow the MoneyAbout the speakers
Lara Wolters is a Member of the European Parliament (S&D) and was the lead negotiator on the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). She works on corporate accountability, sustainability legislation and strengthening democratic oversight within the EU.
Jurjen van den Bergh is campaign director at DeGoedeZaak, a Dutch advocacy organisation mobilising citizens around social justice to make the Netherlands greener, more sustainable and more inclusive. He specialises in strategic campaigning and countering corporate influence in political decision-making.
Lise Witteman is an investigative journalist at Follow the Money and author of Who’s Watching Brussels?. She reports on lobbying, corporate power and transparency in EU decision-making.
