Abstract
As the European Union strengthens its sustainability regulatory framework to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, candidate countries such as Serbia should navigate increasing legal obligations under EU directives. This presentation will critically examine how the European Green Deal’s sustainability legislation is shaping legal reforms in accession countries, with a particular focus on the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), and the EU Taxonomy Regulation.
Serbia has taken initial steps in transposing these directives into national legislation, primarily affecting large public-interest entities. However, significant legal reforms in business law, environmental law, and climate change law are still required to align with the EU’s comprehensive corporate sustainability framework. Given Serbia’s strong trade and investment ties with major EU economies, its businesses are already subject to extraterritorial ESG compliance requirements, despite gaps in domestic regulation.
Prof. Dr. Mirjana Drenovak-Ivanović will present this topic as both an academic expert and a former member of the Negotiating Team for the Accession of the Republic of Serbia to the EU, where she was responsible for the Green Agenda and Sustainable Connectivity (Chapter 27). In this role, she led the drafting of Serbia’s negotiation position—now accepted by the EU—collaborating with over 150 members of the negotiation group, including business representatives and civil society organizations.
Additionally, the lecture will explore the role of soft law instruments, ECHR case law, and voluntary ESG commitments in bridging gaps until legally binding EU standards are fully transposed. Through an analysis of the interplay between national legal frameworks and EU-driven mandates, the session will provide key policy recommendations for a structured and predictable approach to sustainability integration in accession negotiations.
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This event is open to everyone interested.