Lobbying Influence on the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR): A Comparative Analysis of Paper and Plastic Industry Interests in the 2023-2024 Revision

This thesis explores the influence of lobbying on the European Parliament for the 2023- 2024 revision of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), with particular emphasis on the exemptions granted to paper and cardboard materials. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating quantitative analyses of stakeholder meetings and qualitative examinations of legislative amendments to evaluate the impact of lobbying activities on the regulatory outcomes of the PPWR. Key findings suggest that lobbying efforts from paper and cardboard advocates significantly shaped the legislative landscape, resulting in exemptions favoring these materials over plastics, despite concerns regarding increased single-use paper waste. The research also reveals that companies utilizing paper and cardboard materials, rather than solely manufacturing them, played a crucial role in negotiating favorable compromises within the PPWR revision process. In contrast, the analysis indicates that traditional plastic packaging advocates lacked the same level of influence, largely due to a fragmented advocacy landscape that hindered cohesive lobbying efforts. By examining the interplay between interest groups, policy-making processes, and regulatory outcomes, this thesis contributes to the understanding of how industry lobbying can steer legislative frameworks in specific directions. This study contributes to the broader understanding of lobbying's role in shaping EU environmental legislation, offering insights into the challenges of balancing sustainability objectives with economic pressures in future regulatory efforts.