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Podcast - EUrawLaw
EUrawLaw, the podcast from the Jean Monnet Chair in Sustainable and Secure EU Raw Materials Law and Policy held by Prof. Dr Marc Bungenberg, LL.M., is now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
In each episode, Prof. Bungenberg or members of the Chair’s team engage in expert discussions with representatives from academia, politics and the professional sector to critically analyse current developments and fundamental issues in raw materials law. The focus is on the legal, political and regulatory framework of European raw materials governance, as well as the current challenges facing international raw materials relations, particularly at the intersection of security of supply, regulatory standards and geopolitical conflicts.
Episode 1
The inaugural episode of EUrawLaw focuses on the question of what is meant by ‘raw materials law’, what legal and political issues characterise this field of law, and why it is of particular importance for the secure and sustainable supply of raw materials to the European Union. At the same time, the episode outlines the podcast’s thematic focus and provides a preview of key topics that will be explored in greater depth in subsequent episodes.
Episode 2
In this episode of EURawLaw, Prof. Dr Marc Bungenberg and Prof. Dr Thomas Cottier discuss the significance of international trade law at a time of growing geopolitical tensions and increasing economic security concerns.
The focus is on whether rules-based trade in commodities remains viable or whether the international order is already shifting towards a post-WTO world. Topics discussed include China’s export restrictions on commodities and their compatibility with WTO rules, as well as the role of the WTO as a regulatory framework for global trade in commodities.
At the same time, the discussion addresses fundamental principles of international law, such as permanent sovereignty over natural resources and the concept of the ‘common concern of humankind’. The episode also examines the prospects for the further development of the WTO amidst the tensions between trade, sustainability and geopolitical interests.
Episode 3
In this episode of EUrawLaw, Prof. Dr Marc Bungenberg, Dr Philipp Reinhold and Dr Mareike Fröhlich look back on the 1st Saarland Steel Talks and discuss the legal and political challenges facing the transformation of the European steel industry.
The focus is on the question of under what conditions the steel industry in Germany and Europe can become competitive, resilient and, at the same time, climate-neutral. The discussion covers the strategic importance of steel for Europe, the impact of geopolitical tensions and global overcapacity, as well as the growing importance of security of supply and raw materials.
The episode takes the first Saarland Steel Talks as an opportunity to bring together different perspectives from academia, politics, industry and international organisations.
The discussions are supplemented by audio clips from individual participants at the event:
Anke Rehlinger (Minister-President of the Saarland), Kerstin Maria Rippel (Chief Executive of the German Steel Association), Stefan Rauber (SHS – Stahl-Holding-Saar), Dr Peter Buchholz (Head of DERA), Prof. Dr Christian Tietje (Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg), Prof. Dr Daniel Gros (Bocconi University), Prof. Dr Walter Frenz (RWTH Aachen University), Jonathan Weber (SHS – Stahl-Holding-Saar), Prof. Dr Stefan Lechtenböhmer (University of Kassel), Assoc. Prof. Dr Ruven Fleming (University of Groningen), Assoc. Prof. Dr Patrick Abel (University of Innsbruck) and Anthony de Carvalho (OECD).
Episode 4
In this episode of EUrawLAW, Dr Mareike Fröhlich and Antje Otto, Managing Director of the Saar Steel Association, discuss the importance of the steel industry to the Saarland and an industry undergoing radical change. Steel is a key material for industrial value creation and the energy transition; at the same time, the European steel industry is facing considerable pressure to transform and compete internationally.
The focus is on the path towards climate-neutral steel production. Using ‘Power4Steel’ as an example, the discussion centres on new production processes, steel scrap as a raw material, and the link between climate protection and competitiveness. The economic and political challenges of the transformation are also discussed.
Finally, the episode examines the prerequisites for long-term, sustainable, climate-neutral steel production: reliable framework conditions, fair international competitive conditions and planning certainty for the transformation of the European steel industry.