Thesis: “Why was European influence in Niger vulnerable to collapse following the 2023 coup, despite long-term diplomatic and development engagement?”
Ms. Robine Arnoys is a Belgian professional, currently working in Antwerp for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges International as environmental expert. She previously obtained a Master’s degree in Environmental, Health, and Safety Management, as well as an additional degree in Sustainable Development. Her previous professional experience includes working as safety & security advisor and sustainability product specialist. Her thesis focuses on the EU Deforestation Regulation and investigates the perceptions of the different stakeholders and the reasons behind their positioning towards the regulation. The purpose of this is to gain a more in-depth understanding of the factors that contribute to the success of sustainability-related policies in achieving their objectives.
The European Deforestation Regulation (EURD) will become applicable by the end of 2025 and has the objective of reducing the impact of EU consumption on global deforestation. The success of the policy in achieving this objective will be largely dependent on its stakeholders, as they have a significant impact on the design and implementation of the regulation. It is therefore essential to understand the perception of the stakeholders and to gain insights into the reasons behind their positioning towards the EUDR. This dissertation analysed 291 statements provided during the public consultation on the amendment of Annex I of the EUDR. The aim was to identify the main EUDR stakeholders, their general position towards the regulation and the reasons behind this positioning. The stakeholder mapping exercise identified companies, business associations, citizens and NGOs as the main stakeholders of the policy. Further analysis indicated an overall negative position towards the regulation. This negative sentiment could be attributed to concerns relating to the amendment of products in scope, a lack of guidance combined with an insufficient transition period, an increased administrative burden, and the creation of a competitive disadvantage. To address these concerns, it is essential for policymakers to provide additional regulatory clarity and guidance, investigate simplification options, and guarantee equal competition. Tackling concerns of interest groups is key to increasing stakeholder support and guaranteeing a successful policy implementation.