The legal efficiency of Voluntary Environmental Agreements illustrated by the EU electricity sector

In this article the author investigates whether Voluntary Environmental Agreements are useful instruments for the electricity sector. A number of advantages and disadvantages to this approach is examined. The author stresses the importance of taking trade law aspects into consideration before entering into Voluntary Environmental Agreements. This includes competition rules and the rules of free movements. Examples of environmental agreements being contrary to EU regulation already exist. The author finally concludes that Voluntary Environmental Agreements are useful instruments for the electricity sector.