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Sustainability Integration into Free Trade Agreements: A Comparative Analysis Between the European Union and Australia

Babic, Frane LU (2025) HARN63 20251
Department of Business Law
Abstract
This thesis provides a comparative analysis on sustainability chapters in free trade agreements (FTA) from the EU and Australia. It then evaluates the implication this comparison has in light of EU-Australia FTA negotiations. In addition to this, the text utilises a funnel approach by examining broader concepts in order to help answer the research question. This includes the definition of free trade agreements and sustainability clauses along with their benefits and criticisms. The thesis then explores the development of sustainability clauses in EU and Australian FTAs over time, including their implementation and enforcement mechanisms. The comparison reveals similarities and differences in approaches, focusing on labour, environment, and... (More)
This thesis provides a comparative analysis on sustainability chapters in free trade agreements (FTA) from the EU and Australia. It then evaluates the implication this comparison has in light of EU-Australia FTA negotiations. In addition to this, the text utilises a funnel approach by examining broader concepts in order to help answer the research question. This includes the definition of free trade agreements and sustainability clauses along with their benefits and criticisms. The thesis then explores the development of sustainability clauses in EU and Australian FTAs over time, including their implementation and enforcement mechanisms. The comparison reveals similarities and differences in approaches, focusing on labour, environment, and dispute settlement mechanisms. After this, the thesis discusses the relevance of this comparison to the ongoing EU-Australia FTA negotiations. Ultimately, reaching consensus on sustainability chapters, seems possible given the evolution of their respective agreements and recent developments, despite historical differences in approach and variations in dispute settlement mechanisms. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Babic, Frane LU
supervisor
organization
course
HARN63 20251
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
Comparison, Sustainability, Free Trade Agreements, European Union, Australia
language
English
id
9196939
date added to LUP
2025-06-11 11:35:17
date last changed
2025-06-11 11:35:17
@misc{9196939,
  abstract     = {{This thesis provides a comparative analysis on sustainability chapters in free trade agreements (FTA) from the EU and Australia. It then evaluates the implication this comparison has in light of EU-Australia FTA negotiations. In addition to this, the text utilises a funnel approach by examining broader concepts in order to help answer the research question. This includes the definition of free trade agreements and sustainability clauses along with their benefits and criticisms. The thesis then explores the development of sustainability clauses in EU and Australian FTAs over time, including their implementation and enforcement mechanisms. The comparison reveals similarities and differences in approaches, focusing on labour, environment, and dispute settlement mechanisms. After this, the thesis discusses the relevance of this comparison to the ongoing EU-Australia FTA negotiations. Ultimately, reaching consensus on sustainability chapters, seems possible given the evolution of their respective agreements and recent developments, despite historical differences in approach and variations in dispute settlement mechanisms.}},
  author       = {{Babic, Frane}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Sustainability Integration into Free Trade Agreements: A Comparative Analysis Between the European Union and Australia}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}