Corporate Environmental Responsibility in Global Value Chains: An assessment of how the proposed EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence can affect the environmental responsibility of multinational companies

Abstract

Multinational enterprises are governed by international frameworks such as the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The failure of multinational enterprises to comply with these voluntary guidelines has led to negative environmental impacts. Against this background, the European Commission has proposed an EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence that aims to harmonise due diligence legislation across the Union. This thesis examines the environmental responsibilities of multinational companies in their value chains. It also considers the implications of the proposed EU Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence for Swedish legislation.