Greener deals, cleaner rules how antitrust agencies can build reasonable consensus on sustainability agreements

Main Article Content

Jackson de Freitas Ferreira
Alexandre Horn Pureza Oliveira

Abstract

The article explores pragmatic solutions that antitrust agencies can adopt to move toward a reasonable global consensus on how to assess sustainability agreements between competitors. It begins by highlighting the essential role of cooperation among antitrust authorities in addressing climate change. The article then outlines practical suggestions to foster such cooperation, focusing on three key avenues: (i) active participation in multilateral discussions within international organizations and forums aimed at building common ground on the intersection of antitrust and sustainability; (ii) the development of local best practices and guidelines, and their sharing at the international level; and (iii) the use of competition advocacy to support the creation and consolidation of these practices.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Article Details

How to Cite
Ferreira, J. de F., & Oliveira, A. H. P. (2025). Greener deals, cleaner rules: how antitrust agencies can build reasonable consensus on sustainability agreements. Revista Do IBRAC, (2), 52–77. Retrieved from https://revista.ibrac.org.br/revista/article/view/1458
Section
Artigos para Revista do IBRAC
Author Biographies

Jackson de Freitas Ferreira, Pinheiro Neto Advogados

FORMAÇÃO ACADÊMICA

Master of Laws (LL.M.) pela University of Chicago – 2018

Graduação em Direito pela Universidade de São Paulo (USP) – 2011

EXPERIÊNCIA PROFISSIONAL

Jackson Ferreira é advogado sênior na área de Direito Concorrencial no Pinheiro Neto Advogados.

Jackson assessora clientes nacionais e internacionais em questões de Direito Concorrencial, incluindo fusões e aquisições complexas, investigações de condutas anticompetitivas e compliance antitruste. Possui experiência na representação judicial de clientes em ações indenizatórias, anulatórias e ações civis públicas e coletivas (class actions) em matéria concorrencial, e na condução de investigações internas corporativas relacionadas a ilícitos de cartel, corrupção, fraude a licitações, além de assessoria preventiva e contenciosa em questões envolvendo novas tecnologias e mercados digitais.

Jackson é Vice-Chair do Tecnology Committee da American Bar Association (ABA) – Antitrust Law Section (2025-2026). Também é membro do Antitrust Committee da International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA), sendo convidado para palestrar em eventos internacionais da associação.

É coordenador do Comitê de Diversidade do Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos de Concorrência, Consumo e Comércio Internacional (IBRAC), com foco em iniciativas voltadas às pessoas LGBTQIAPN+, como programas de mentoria profissional. Também é co-fundador da Frente Jurídica LGBTQIAPN+, organização sem fins lucrativos que incentiva o networking e crescimento profissional de grupos minorizados no Direito.

Jackson também é membro do Comitê de Mercados Digitais do IBRAC e participa de contribuições a consultas públicas e discussões no âmbito do Congresso Nacional do Brasil relativas à legislação de mercados digitais e inteligência artificial.

Jackson é autor e coautor de artigos em diversas publicações nacionais e internacionais, e participa como moderador e palestrante em diversos eventos, debates e webinars em temas de Direito Concorrencial, experiência corporativa e diversidade.

Alexandre Horn Pureza Oliveira, a:1:{s:5:"pt_BR";s:23:"Pinheiro Neto Advogados";}

Associate at Pinheiro Neto Advogados. Holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Brasília (UnB).

References

BRASIL. Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE). Economic Studies. Available at [https://www.gov.br/cade/pt-br/centraisde-conteudo/publicacoes-institucionais/estudos-economicos](https://www.gov.br/cade/pt-br/centraisde-conteudo/publicacoes-institucionais/estudos-economicos). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

BRASIL. Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE). Opinion of CADE’s Presidente Alexandre Cordeiro in Concentration Act No. 08700.009905/2022-83. July 3, 2023. Available at: [https://sei.cade.gov.br/sei/modulos/pesquisa/md_pesq_documento_consulta_externa.php?HJ7F4wnIPj2Y8B7Bj80h1lskjh7ohC8yMfhLoDBLddaoNc4CW6a-AYZPgAOnPUOv9Awqw0M4AY8RX4KDrYt71xJtK3EQqpg3o1I3kwdrfH0Wc6XX](https://sei.cade.gov.br/sei/modulos/pesquisa/md_pesq_documento_consulta_externa.php?HJ7F4wnIPj2Y8B7Bj80h1lskjh7ohC8yMfhLoDBLddaoNc4CW6a-AYZPgAOnPUOv9Awqw0M4AY8RX4KDrYt71xJtK3EQqpg3o1I3kwdrfH0Wc6XX) Q85NB8jxdngrGw-K. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

BRASIL. Conselho Administrativo de Defesa Econômica (CADE). Resolution No. 15/2023. Available at: [https://cdn.cade.gov.br/Portal/centrais](https://cdn.cade.gov.br/Portal/centrais) de-conteudo/publicacoes/normas-e-legislacao/resolucoes/RESOLU%C3%87%C3%83O%20N%C2%BA%20 12.pdf. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

BRICS. Memorandum of understanding between the competition authorities of the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Russian Federation, the Republic of India, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of South Africa on cooperation in the field of competition law and policy. May 19, 2016. Available at: [https://cdn.cade.gov.br/Portal/acesso-a-informacao/convenios-e-transferencias/acordos-internacionais/MOU%20BRICS%20-%20Assinado%20%28002%29.pdf](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://cdn.cade.gov.br/Portal/acesso-a-informacao/convenios-e-transferencias/acordos-internacionais/MOU%2520BRICS%2520-%2520Assinado%2520%2528002%2529.pdf). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

CASSIDY, Anne. Economist Steven Levitt on Why Data Needs Stories. *Fastcompany*. June 18, 2013. Available at: [https://www.fastcompany.com/1683190/economist-steven-levitt-on-why-data-needs-stories](https://www.fastcompany.com/1683190/economist-steven-levitt-on-why-data-needs-stories). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

COLINO, Sandra Marco. Antitrust's Environmental Footprint: Redefining the Boundaries of Green Antitrust. *North Carolina Law Review*, Vol. 103, No. 1. 2024. Available at: [https://ssrn.com/abstract=4730971](https://ssrn.com/abstract=4730971), Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

DOLMANS, Maurits. Sustainable Competition Policy and the “Polluter Pays” Principle. In: HOLMES, Simon; MIDDELSCHULTE, Dirk; SNOEP, Martin. *Competition Law, Climate Change & Environmental Sustainability*. Nova York: Institute of Competition Law, 2021.

EU-MERCOSUR Agreement. European Commision. 6 December 2024. Available at: [https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mercosur/eu-mercosur-agreement](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mercosur/eu-mercosur-agreement)_en#:~:text=The%20European%20Union%20and%20four,a%20ground%2Dbreaking%20partnership%20agreement.&text=The%20EU%20is%20Mercosur's%20number%20one%20trade%20and%20investment%20partner. Acessed on: July 30, 2025.

EU-MERCOSUR text of the agreement. European Commision. 6 December 2024. Available at [https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mercosur/eu-mercosuragreement/text-agreement](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/mercosur/eu-mercosuragreement/text-agreement)_en. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION. Antitrust: Commission adopts new Horizontal Block Exemption Regulations and Horizontal Guidelines. June 1, 2023. Available at: [https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip)_23_2990. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION. Commission issues first opinion on the compatibility of a sustainability agreement in the French wine sector with competition rules for agriculture. July 14, 2025. Available at: [https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip)_25_1832. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION. European Commission’s revised Horizontal Guidelines. May 31, 2023. Available at: [https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/fd641c1e-7415-4e60-ac21-7ab3e72045d2](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://competition-policy.ec.europa.eu/document/download/fd641c1e-7415-4e60-ac21-7ab3e72045d2)_en?filename=2023_revised_horizontal_guidelines_en.pdf. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION. Trade part of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement. (Draft). September 8, 2022. Chapter: Competition. Available at: [https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/09242a36-a438-40fd-a7affe32e36cbd0e/library/fee88cce-3f87-40e3-b4ba-03cb32a78266/details?download=true](https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/09242a36-a438-40fd-a7affe32e36cbd0e/library/fee88cce-3f87-40e3-b4ba-03cb32a78266/details?download=true). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION. Trade part of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement. (Draft). September 8, 2022. Chapter: Trade and Sustainable Development. Available at: [https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/09242a36-a438-40fd-a7af-fe32e36cbd0e/library/63854154-7f3f-45d6-bfe6-53e330818fd0/details?download=true](https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/09242a36-a438-40fd-a7af-fe32e36cbd0e/library/63854154-7f3f-45d6-bfe6-53e330818fd0/details?download=true). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

EUROPEAN COMMISSION. Trade part of the EU-Mercosur Association Agreement. (Draft). September 8, 2022. Annex to the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter. Available at: [https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/09242a36-a438-40fd-a7af-fe32e36cbd0e/library/19d538eb-d33c-4039-8afa-42dfe7cc66b6/details?download=true](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://circabc.europa.eu/ui/group/09242a36-a438-40fd-a7af-fe32e36cbd0e/library/19d538eb-d33c-4039-8afa-42dfe7cc66b6/details%3Fdownload%3Dtrue). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENTARY RESEARCH SERVICE (EPRS). Sustainability in the age of geopolitics. July 2022. Available at: [https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2022/679092/EPRS](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/etudes/ATAG/2022/679092/EPRS)_ATA(2022)679092_EN.pdf. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

GREECE. Helenic Competition Commission (HCC). Creation of the Sandbox for sustainable development and competition. (Press release). June 22, 2022. Available at: [https://www.epant.gr/en/information/press-releases/item/2226-press-release-creation-of-the-sandbox-for-sustainable-development-and-competition.html](https://www.epant.gr/en/information/press-releases/item/2226-press-release-creation-of-the-sandbox-for-sustainable-development-and-competition.html). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

GREGG, Juge; MORGAN, Drake; NAVIN-JONES, Marcus. Sustainability lawyers need to add antitrust expertise to their arsenal. October 25, 2024. Available at: [https://www.americanbar.org/groups/environment](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.americanbar.org/groups/environment)_energy_resources/resources/trends/2024-nov-dec/susta inability-lawyersneed-antitrust-expertise/. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

HEARN, Denise; HANAWALT, Cynthia; SACHS, Lisa. Antitrust and Sustainability: A Landscape Analysis. Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI) and the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law. Available at: [https://ccsi.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/docs/Antitrust-Sustainability-Landscape-Analysis.pdf](https://ccsi.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/content/docs/Antitrust-Sustainability-Landscape-Analysis.pdf). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

HOLMES, Simon. Climate change, sustainability, and competition law. *Journal of Antitrust Enforcement*. Volume 8, Issue 2. July 2020. Available at: [https://doi.org/10.1093/jaenfo/jnaa006](https://doi.org/10.1093/jaenfo/jnaa006). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

INDERST, Roman; SARTZETAKIS, Eftichios; XEPAPADEAS, Anastasios. Technical Report on Sustainability and Competition. January 2021. Available at: [https://www.acm.nl/sites/default/files/documents/technical-report-sustainability-and-competition](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.acm.nl/sites/default/files/documents/technical-report-sustainability-and-competition)_0.pdf. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC). How competition policy acts as a barrier to climate action. November 18, 2024. Available at: [https://iccwbo.org/news-publications/policies-reports/how-competition-policy-acts-as-a-barrier-to-climate-action/](https://iccwbo.org/news-publications/policies-reports/how-competition-policy-acts-as-a-barrier-to-climate-action/). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

INTERNATIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (ICC). Working Paper: Concorrência e Sustentabilidade. Proposta de Diretrizes para a Análise de Acordos de Sustentabilidade Ambiental pelo CADE. Available at: [https://www.iccbrasil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Working-Paper-Concorrencia-e-Sustentabilidade](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.iccbrasil.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Working-Paper-Concorrencia-e-Sustentabilidade)_V5 .pdf. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION NETWORK (ICN). ICN’s Vision for its Third Decade. Available at: [https://www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ICN-Vision-for-its-ThirdDecade.pdf](https://www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ICN-Vision-for-its-ThirdDecade.pdf). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION NETWORK. ICN Recommendations (recommended practices and other ICN recommendations). Available at: [https://www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org/workinggroups/icn-operations/icn-recs/](https://www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org/workinggroups/icn-operations/icn-recs/). Accessed on July 30, 2025.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION NETWORK. ICN Sustainability Workshop – Join Us for the ICN Workshop on Competition and Sustainable Development. May 27, 2024. Available at: [https://www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org/featured/sustainabilityworkshop/](https://www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org/featured/sustainabilityworkshop/). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION NETWORK. Working Groups. Available at: [https://www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org/working-groups/](https://www.internationalcompetitionnetwork.org/working-groups/). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

KHAN, Lina. The New Brandeis Movement: America’s Antimonopoly Debate. *Journal of European Competition Law & Practice*, 9(3), 131-132. March 2018. Available at: [https://doi.org/10.1093/jeclap/lpy020](https://doi.org/10.1093/jeclap/lpy020). Accessed on: july 30, 2025.

KOVACIC, William. Does Antitrust Help or Hinder Sustainability? (Webinar). CCSI – Columbia Center on Sustainability Investment. April 25, 2023. 50’40’’. Available at: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDun0K6Yzk](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsDun0K6Yzk). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

NETHERLANDS. Netherlands Authority for Consumer and Markets (ACM). Policy rule – ACM’s oversight of sustainability agreements Competition and sustainability. October 4, 2023. Available at: [https://www.acm.nl/system/files/documents/Beleidsregel%20Toezicht%20ACM%20op%20duurzaamheidsafspraken%20ENG.pdf](https://www.acm.nl/system/files/documents/Beleidsregel%20Toezicht%20ACM%20op%20duurzaamheidsafspraken%20ENG.pdf). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

NETHERLANDS. Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM). Second draft version: Guidelines on Sustainability Agreements – Opportunities within competition law. January 26, 2021. Available at: [https://www.acm.nl/sites/default/files/documents/second-draft-versionguidelines-on-sustainability-agreements-oppurtunities-within-competitionlaw.pdf](https://www.acm.nl/sites/default/files/documents/second-draft-versionguidelines-on-sustainability-agreements-oppurtunities-within-competitionlaw.pdf). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

NEW YORK UNIVERSITY’S. State Energy and Environmental Impact Center & Institute for Corporate Governance & Finance. ESG and Antitrust: an AG’s Perspective. (Recorded event). April 20, 2024. 50’30’’. Available at: [https://stateimpactcenter.org/news-events/events/esg-and-antitrust-an-ags-perspective](https://stateimpactcenter.org/news-events/events/esg-and-antitrust-an-ags-perspective). Accessed on: July 30, 2025. About the discussion on the alleged “woke” Democratic agenda on sustainability, check 28’30’’.

NOWAG, Julian. Sustainability & Competition Law and Policy – Background Note. 2020. Available at: [https://one.oecd.org/document/DAF/COMP(2020)3/En/pdf](https://one.oecd.org/document/DAF/COMP(2020)3/En/pdf). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD). Environmental considerations in competition enforcement. *OECD Competition Committee Discussion Paper*. 2021. Available at: [https://web-archive.oecd.org/2021-11-19/616916-environmentalconsiderations-in-competition-enforcement-2021.pdf](https://web-archive.oecd.org/2021-11-19/616916-environmentalconsiderations-in-competition-enforcement-2021.pdf). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC CO-OPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD). Sustainability and Competition – Note by the Netherlands. November 6, 2020. Available at: [https://one.oecd.org/document/DAF/COMP/WD(2020)66/en/pdf](https://one.oecd.org/document/DAF/COMP/WD(2020)66/en/pdf). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

PAVIC, Lorena; PARDO, José; TORRES, Bendamín. 19. Navigation Competition Rules From a Chile Perspective. *Latin Lawyer*. August 3, 2021. Available at: [https://latinlawyer.com/guide/the-guide-corporate-compliance-archived/second-edition/article/19-navigating-competition-ruleschile-perspective](https://latinlawyer.com/guide/the-guide-corporate-compliance-archived/second-edition/article/19-navigating-competition-ruleschile-perspective). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

SINGAPORE. COMPETITION AND CONSUMER COMMISSION OF SINGAPORE (CCCS). Environmental Sustainability Collaboration Guidance Note. March 1, 2024. Available at: [https://isomer-user-content.by.gov.sg/45/33cad1c1-03a9-419f-8231-a6bd0ff1663e/CCCS%20Environmental%20Sustainability%20Collaboration%20Guidance%20Note](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://isomer-user-content.by.gov.sg/45/33cad1c1-03a9-419f-8231-a6bd0ff1663e/CCCS%2520Environmental%2520Sustainability%2520Collaboration%2520Guidance%2520Note)_full.pdf. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

UNITED KINGDOM. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Green Agreements Guidance: Guidance on the application of the Chapter I prohibition in the Competition Act 1998 to environmental sustainability agreements. CMA 185. October 12, 2023. Available at: [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6526b81b244f8e000d8e742c/Green](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6526b81b244f8e000d8e742c/Green)_agreements_guidance_.pdf Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

UNITED KINGDOM. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). How to request informal guidance on environmental sustainability agreements. April 15, 2024. Available at: [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/informal-guidance-on-environmental-sustainability-agreements](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/informal-guidance-on-environmental-sustainability-agreements). Accessed on July 30, 2025.

UNITED KINGDOM. Competition and Markets Authority (CMA). Preliminary Information to Provide to the CMA in Respect of Informal Guidance Requests. Available at: [https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/661cf0c908c3be25cfbd3d6a/Submission](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/661cf0c908c3be25cfbd3d6a/Submission)_guide.pdf. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

UNITED NATIONS. Global Issues – Climate Change. 2023. Available at [https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/climate-change](https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/climate-change). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

UNITED NATIONS. UN Environment Program Emissions Gap Report 2023. November 20, 2023. Available at: [https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2023](https://www.unep.org/resources/emissions-gap-report-2023), Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. American Bar Association (ABA). Report of the International Developments and Comments Task Force, in response to the Hellenic Competition Commission’s proposal for the creation of a sandbox for sustainability and competition in the Greek market. August 26, 2021. Available at: [https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/antitrust](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/antitrust)_law/comments/august-2021/comment s-82621-greece.pdf. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. American Bar Association (ABA). Sustainability and Competition Law, Report of the International Comments and Policy Committee. March 8, 2024; SNYDER, Brent; MCDONALD, Matthew; WANG, Ada. Antitrust and Sustainability: Potential Paths Forward for U.S. Companies. August 30, 2023. Available at: [https://www.americanbar.org/groups/antitrust](https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.americanbar.org/groups/antitrust)_law/resources/source/2023-august/antitrust-and-sustainability/. Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Department of Justice (DOJ). DOJ Antitrust Division’s instructions on Business Reviews. Updated June 15, 2023. Available at: [https://www.justice.gov/atr/what-business-review](https://www.justice.gov/atr/what-business-review). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee. Judiciary Republicans: Woke Companies Pursuing ESG Policies May Violate Antitrust Law. December 6, 2022. Available at: [https://judiciary.house.gov/media/press-releases/judiciary-republicans-woke-companies-pursuing-esg-policies-may-violate](https://judiciary.house.gov/media/press-releases/judiciary-republicans-woke-companies-pursuing-esg-policies-may-violate). Accessed on: July 30, 2025.