The primary objective of this study is to introduce the framework of the European Union (EU) Green Governance and to examine the influence of European industry on its development and implementation. Since the 1990s, the concept of governance has been increasingly adopted in the formulation of public policies, integrating both national governments and global organizations into environmental policymaking processes. EU Green Governance, structured through Environmental Action Programmes, Directives, and Strategies, has progressively expanded to encompass the sustainability agenda. Within this governance architecture, European industry represents a pivotal actor. As a powerful and well-organized elite, industrial stakeholders have historically exerted significant influence over EU policymaking, including in the area of sustainability. Methodologically, the study introduces EU Green Governance through an examination of global policy documents and EU legislation. It then analyzes the impact of European industrial actors -specifically the European Round Table for Industry (ERT), BusinessEurope, and insights from the Draghi Report- on EU policy formation, with a particular focus on the Omnibus Simplification Package. The first section provides an overview of EU Green Governance and sustainability legislation, while the second explores the main demands and positions of European industry regarding these frameworks. The final section assesses the extent to which these industrial perspectives are reflected in the proposal for the Omnibus Simplification Package. Findings suggest that EU multinational corporations and industrial associations play a decisive role in shaping the Union’s sustainability policies, underscoring the continued influence of European industry within the broader structure of EU governance.
Governance, Participation, European Green Deal, European Union Sustainability Legislation, Transnational Capitalist Class