Renewable Energy Communities in Portugal: The (Local) Path to the (European) Energy Transition 

15 min

Abstract This essay explores the role of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) in Portugal’s energy transition, emphasizing their potential to drive environmental sustainability and reduce energy costs. With rising global energy consumption and the push for carbon neutrality, RECs present an innovative model for decentralized, renewable energy production. The essay examines the principles underpinning RECs, including … Continued

Reflexive EU environmental law: Exploring divergence in the French and German transposition of the Single-use Plastics Directive

1 min

The recent study “Reflexive EU Environmental Law: Exploring Divergence in the French and German Transposition of the Single-Use Plastics Directive” investigates how reflexive environmental law (REL) techniques impact regulatory frameworks for plastics circularity. Using the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD) as a case study, the authors compare how France and Germany have transposed the directive. The … Continued

Justiciability of Climate Change Legislation: Case Study of KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland

21 min

The enforceability of climate change targets on states is a particularly pressing topic right now. Despite virtually all states agreeing and signing various global cooperation pacts and passing national legislation regarding them, it is a very heated legal conversation, especially given the urgent nature of the issue, whether individuals can hold their states accountable when … Continued

Mandatory Purchase of Green Certificates on Importers from Italian Renewable Energy Producers as Compatible with EU Law: RED II, State Aid and Freedoms. Judgment in Case C-558/22 Fallimento Esperia and GSE

6 min

Introduction In the Judgment in Case C-558/22 Fallimento Esperia and GSE on 7 March 2024, the Court of Justice revisited the landmark cases Essent Belgium (Judgment of 29 September 2016, C‑492/14, EU:C:2016:732, and Judgement 11 September 2014, C-204/12, EU:C:2014:2192) concerning the compatibility of national laws imposing support schemes favoring national renewable energy production. Particularly in this case, … Continued

EU Contract Case Law, July–December 2023 

0 min

The article EU Contract Case Law, July–December 2023, published on the European Review of Contract Law offers a comprehensive review of key cases adjudicated by the Court of Justice of the European Union pertaining to contract law. It focuses on the period spanning from July 2023 to December 2023. Among the 220 judgments rendered during … Continued

Chapter 13. The (in)coherence–(in)effectiveness nexus of the EU´s circular energy system

1 min

The 13th and last Chapter of the edited book ‘Law in the EU’s Circular Energy System: Biofuel, Biowaste and Biogas‘, addresses several topics from the transition towards a circular energy system to he (in)coherence–(in)effectiveness nexus of the EU’s circular energy system. Lucila de Almeida and Josephine van Zeben, with the title ‘The (in)coherence–(in)effectiveness nexus of the … Continued

Chapter 12. Renewable support schemes and Guarantees of Origin applied to renewable energy regulation

0 min

In the Chapter 12 of the edited book ‘Law in the EU’s Circular Energy System: Biofuel, Biowaste and Biogas‘, Alberto Pototschnig and Ilaria Conti address the Renewable support schemes and Guarantees of Origin applied to renewable energy regulation’. Read the Abstract below: ‘Renewable energies will continue to play a key role in decarbonising the energy … Continued

Chapter 10. EU law and policy shaping supranational and national investment in biofuel and biogas transition

1 min

In Chapter 10 of the edited book ‘Law in the EU’s Circular Energy System: Biofuel, Biowaste and Biogas‘, Agnieszka Smoleńska talks about ‘EU and policy shaping supranational and national investment in biofuel and biogas transition’ [1]. Read the Abstract below: ‘The chapter analyses how European Union (EU) laws and policies shape the availability of financing … Continued

Chapter 9. The Energy Tax Directive reform

1 min

Álvaro Antón addresses ‘The Energy Tax Directive reform’ on the first chapter composing Part III of the edited book ‘Law in the EU’s Circular Energy System: Biofuel, Biowaste and Biogas‘, with regards to Cross-Sectoral Issues. Read the Abstract below: ‘The use and development of advanced biofuels will be essential for the transition to a green, … Continued

The Inaugural Lecture of the Abreu Chair in ESG Impact: the Environmental, Social and Governance transformations to weather the energy crisis

15 min

Today we are gathered in this beautiful auditorium of Abreu Advogados – being under the watchful and attentive gaze of the owls by Bordalo II,[1] to celebrate the inauguration of the Abreu Chair in ESG Impact, the result of a partnership between the NOVA School of Law and the Knowledge Institute powered by Abreu Advogados. … Continued