Companies are facing an increasing number of European regulations regarding responsible and sustainable business practices. These include measures to prevent deforestation in the production of coffee, chocolate, soy, and palm oil; the pricing of CO2 emissions in the supply chain; and the reporting of both positive and negative sustainability impacts by companies. Due to differences in scope, terminology, and structure, among other factors, companies often implement these laws separately in their policies and business processes. In practice, this leads to unnecessary costs and paperwork, a perception of regulatory burden, and a “check-the-box” approach—even among companies with sustainability ambitions. This hinders the achievement of the common goal behind these laws: the protection of human rights, the climate, and the environment against the negative effects of business activities in international value chains. The pilot project “Integrated Implementation of EU Sustainability Legislation,” commissioned by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, demonstrates that there is another way.
It appears possible to address the obligations under EU sustainability legislation through a single, integrated framework based on the OECD’s 6-step model for due diligence. Whether it involves assessing andprioritizing risks or reporting sustainability information, the integrated approach ensures a more efficient and effective implementation, thereby advancing the underlying goals of the legislation. Through the “SustainEd EUr” educational initiative, researchers Liesbeth Enneking and Martijn Scheltema of the Erasmus School of Law, Karen Maas of the Erasmus Impact Center, and Albert Veenstra of the Rotterdam School of Management are bridging the gap between research findings and their practical application. Through multidisciplinary education in collaboration with experts from policy and business, they aim to empower the next generation of young professionals to support companies and other stakeholders in the integrated implementation of EU sustainability legislation. During the Academic Year Opening Ceremony, they received the EUR Sustainability Award 2026 for this initiative. Liesbeth Enneking, professor of Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability, tells us about the development and importance of this initiative in times of geopolitical turmoil and climate change.
Implementation of EU Sustainability Legislation: From Compliance to Opportunities
The current fragmented landscape of EU sustainability laws can present companies with difficult choices in practice. For example, when they are faced with obligations under different laws, but those laws do not prioritize the same risks. This can lead to a “check-the-box” approach that undermines the company’s sustainability ambitions and ultimately does not serve the effectiveness of the legislation. So how do we ensure an approach that truly fosters responsible and sustainable entrepreneurship?
Enneking explains: "In the pilot project, based on an analysis of the similarities and differences between the laws, we demonstrate that the internationally recognized OECD 6-step model provides an inherently logical and fundamental framework for the integrated implementation of obligations under a broad range of EU sustainability laws by companies, regardless of their size, sector, or position in the value chain. We then ‘adapted’ the model into a roadmap with a concrete approach for companies with complex supply chains. By taking an integrated approach to the implementation of EU sustainability legislation, companies gain the flexibility to shift their focus from merely complying with legal obligations and adapting to customer demands to a proactive approach aimed at the common goal behind the legislation: preventing or mitigating the negative impacts of their own activities or those of supply chain partners on people, the environment, and the climate. And to capitalize on the opportunities this can create—for example, in the form of enhanced competitiveness and more resilient value chains in times of geopolitical turmoil.”
“But,” says Enneking, “despite the fact that an integrated approach to EU sustainability legislation can have major benefits for both the effectiveness of sustainability policy and business practices, it will not happen on its own. It requires government-wide coordination, coordinated support, an integrated approach—including from the regulatory side—and—crucially—raising awareness and building capacity among companies and other stakeholders, including their financiers, accountants, and legal advisors.”
Education as the Foundation for a Future-Proof Approach to Sustainability
Through the educational initiative “Teaching Integrated EU Sustainability Legislation: Bridging Law, Policy, and Business Practice” (SustainEd EUr), the researchers aim to promote the necessary awareness and capacity building by integrating the results of the pilot project into the curriculum at Erasmus University. Enneking: “In this way, we equip the next generation of lawyers, economists, and policymakers with the knowledge and skills to contribute to the efficient and effective implementation of EU legislation in the area of responsible and sustainable business practices. This is crucial at a time when the business community is increasingly calling for a reduction in regulatory burdens, while at the same time it is becoming ever clearer how important and urgent it is to adequately protect people, the environment, and the climate from the negative effects of economic activities.”
The jury for the 2026 Sustainability Award unanimously selected the SustainEd EUr initiative. The jury highlighted how the initiative successfully combines social relevance, interdisciplinarity, collaboration with societal partners, and significant potential for impact beyond the academic world. In particular, the jury was impressed by the fact that the initiative succeeds in bringing together the complementary expertise and networks of the Erasmus School of Law, the Impact Centre Erasmus, and the Rotterdam School of Management to address an urgent societal challenge through research, education, and stakeholder engagement. Furthermore, the jury found the initiative’s potential to improve the practical implementation of European sustainability legislation—and thereby contribute to large-scale sustainability transitions—to be particularly compelling.
Enneking: “I am honoured by this recognition, which I see above all as confirmation of the importance of what we do. We always hear about the ‘business case’ for sustainability. But there is also a ‘society case’, and that is at least as strong – and extremely urgent. Effective implementation of sustainability legislation protects people, the environment and the climate, whilst also reducing the regulatory burden and strengthening businesses’ competitiveness. Superficial, fragmented implementation that focuses solely on compliance serves no purpose whatsoever. With this initiative, we aim to equip the next generation of young professionals to recognise the difference and make both ‘cases’ a reality.”
Collaboration as a driving force
Commenting on the interdisciplinary collaboration within both the pilot project and the educational initiative, Enneking says: “The pilot project centres on the effectiveness of sustainability policy, a complex social issue that is highly relevant to business practice but ultimately also to all of us. A meaningful approach to issues of this kind requires a holistic approach. At EUR, we have a mix of disciplines that is highly relevant to this specific issue, alongside a strong focus on education and research with societal impact. By examining EU sustainability legislation from the perspective of different disciplines, both within the pilot project and the educational initiative, we are generating new insights into law, policy, business operations and supply chain management that are relevant to business practice whilst also contributing to the concept of impact that underlies the legislation.”
At the same time, a project focused on social impact also requires the involvement of the social actors concerned. Enneking explains that collaboration with stakeholders played a crucial role, on the one hand, in the development of the integrated approach and, on the other, in translating it into business practice. “Without the collaboration with our social partners RBConnect, Future Up and foodFirst – and the opportunities this created for gathering input from stakeholders on the issues and potential solutions – developing an integrated approach would have remained a purely theoretical exercise, with little to no impact.”
Manon Wolfkamp, founder and director of RBConnect, agrees: “Because academia and practice were linked from the outset in the pilot project, we were able to go beyond a theoretical approach. The input from businesses, civil society organisations, trade unions and other experts enabled us to further develop the scientific knowledge from Erasmus University and test it in practice. This has resulted in a realistic and practical approach with a solid scientific foundation that ties in directly with real-world practice.”
A look at the future of sustainable business
The close collaboration with industry partners within the pilot project also makes it possible to link the educational initiative to real-world practice. “We are delighted that our project partners Future Up, RBConnect and FoodFirst have indicated that they are willing to play a role in further developing the outcomes of the pilot project into educational programmes. Furthermore, many other organisations and experts from the industry have now come forward who recognise the importance of enhancing the knowledge and skills of future young professionals in the field of responsible and sustainable business, and who wish to contribute to this.
The organisers are currently exploring how this educational programme will take shape. What is certain, however, is that the prize money will be used to provide educational support for the development of future-proof education on EU sustainability legislation and its implementation by businesses. Furthermore, this education will focus on a multidisciplinary approach, social impact and a strong connection with policy, business and professional practice.
Enneking: “Our greatest social impact as a university lies in educating a new generation of young professionals who can reflect constructively and critically on the world around them, who do not take the social status quo for granted, and who have the ability to contribute to solving social problems and creating social value
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If you would like to read more about the pilot project, the educational initiative or the four-page document providing further details on the key findings, you can do so here: https://www.eur.nl/en/esl/research/our-research/law-sustainable-business/research-projects/expert-working-group-integrated-implementation-eu-sustainability-legislation
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