Consumers and environmentally friendly products: has the gap been bridged?
Market thinking, in the sense of pursuing economic efficiency, is an imminent feature of the world we live in. Empirical studies show that when making a purchasing decision, quality and price of products are the most important factors for consumers. This finding complies with the proposition that EU competition and consumer law are oriented around the promotion of consumer welfare, which is concerned with economically efficient transactions and cost-savings. However, the rapid global warming, pollution and depletion of resources make us all face a climate emergency. As the urgency of addressing climate change rises, consumers need to make more sustainable choices. Yet, according to surveys, price is the main deterrent discouraging them from buying eco-friendly products. In this context, the first part of the presentation will discuss the measures taken so far in the EU regarding the transformation of products to environmentally-friendly. The second part will examine to what extent these measures have given sufficient weight to consumer welfare considerations, such as affordability and availability of products.
This event is open (only) to members of Oxford University. To register for it, please complete the form below using your SSO credentials. Registration will close at 10am on the morning of the seminar after which a Teams link will be sent out.