Módulo Jean Monnet UFC
Project: Global governance on cross-border pollution: the European Green Deal and its influence in Brazil.
Number : 620688-EPP-1-2020-1-BR-EPPJMO-MODULE
Summary: This project represents the first Jean Monnet Module in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil under the Erasmus+ Program, aiming to deepen the study of the global impact of European Union (EU) environmental norms and their influence on international relations, particularly in Latin America and Brazil.
The project is based on the understanding that the environmental ambition of the European Green Deal cannot be achieved by Europe acting alone, making cooperation with international partners essential. In this context, environmental issues between the EU and third countries are traditionally regulated through bilateral, regional, and multilateral treaties, in accordance with international treaty law. However, beyond this conventional approach, the project seeks to examine the EU’s capacity to exert international influence through its unilateral normative function and the role of its Court of Justice.
The proposed research stands out by addressing an underexplored topic in EU law: the extraterritorial effects of EU environmental legislation. These effects are understood as the ability of EU unilateral acts to produce legal effects beyond its territory, particularly in the regulation of cross-border pollution, whether originating in Europe or third countries such as Brazil and Latin America. Additionally, the project will explore how these regulations impact Europe, Latin America, and the global environmental governance system.
Beyond its theoretical significance in understanding the reach of EU unilateral acts in the development of European Union Law, this project holds strategic importance for strengthening legal and political relations between the EU and Mercosur, particularly in environmental matters. The main objective is to analyze the extent to which the EU’s influence, expertise, and financial resources can be mobilized to encourage its partners to join a more sustainable path. The study will assess whether EU treaties and legislation can effectively regulate cross-border pollution, not only regarding the EU’s legal powers but also in terms of substantive provisions and responsibilities under national, regional, and international law.
Ultimately, this project will contribute to a better understanding of the EU as a global leader in climate change governance.
Our Research Team:
- Tarin Cristino Frota Mont`Alverne- Head: http://lattes.cnpq.br/3890234334285222
- Marcelo Soares: http://lattes.cnpq.br/7599253575479186
- Raquel de Brito Machado Ramos: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8887173108268324
- Emmanuel Teófilo Furtado Filho: http://lattes.cnpq.br/8887173108268324
- Ana Flávia Granja e Barros: http://lattes.cnpq.br/7599253575479186
- Nuno Cunha Rodrigues: https://www.fd.ulisboa.pt/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Nuno-Cunha-Rodrigues-CV-PT.pdf
- Agnès Michelot: https://lienss.univ-larochelle.fr/Michelot-Agnes
- Julia Motte-Baumvol: https://univ-droit.fr/universitaires/5663-motte-baumvol-julia
- Delphine Dero-Bugny: https://univ-droit.fr/universitaires/10927-dero-bugny-delphine
- Solange Teles da Silva: http://lattes.cnpq.br/7531637444907998
- Jamile Bergamaschine Mata Diz: http://lattes.cnpq.br/75316374449079973
- Alice Rocha da Silva : http://lattes.cnpq.br/7531637444908902
Impact of the Project
This project aims to establish a new academic framework for discussing European integration, particularly the European Union’s influence on sustainable development through unilateral and conventional actions.
The Federal University of Ceará (UFC), located in a region with strong ties to Europe, lacks structured teaching and research on EU law and policy. This initiative bridge that gap, offering the first undergraduate and graduate courses on EU law and policy in the North and Northeast, benefiting a population of over 63 million people.
Beyond academia, the project support local governments, decision-makers, tribunals, companies, and NGOs in aligning with Brazil’s regional and international commitments on climate change and sustainable development. It also train professionals from both the public and private sectors in EU legal and institutional matters.
Additionally, this initiative strengthens national and international research networks by fostering cooperation between Brazilian and European institutions. It integrates EU studies into ongoing research projects on environmental law, marine resources, and climate change, reinforcing Brazil’s scientific and policy engagement with European expertise.
By establishing a long-term academic and institutional foundation, this project will enhance the region’s economic, legal, and environmental policies, ensuring sustainable growth and stronger EU-Brazil cooperation.
Stay Updated on Our Activities
The academic activities of the project are regularly updated and shared on our Instagram page (@gedaiufc). Follow us to stay informed about courses, events, lectures, and research initiatives related to EU law and policy, sustainable development, and international cooperation. Weekly updates ensure that students, researchers, and the broader community remain engaged with our latest academic discussions and opportunities.
Project Outputs
As part of our commitment to advancing research and education on EU law, sustainable development, and international cooperation, the project has produced several valuable academic outputs. These materials contribute to the dissemination of knowledge and foster collaboration between scholars, policymakers, and the broader community.
Some of our key outputs include:
Books Published from the Project 📚
📌 SÁ LEITÃO, A. I. B. L.; MONT’ALVERNE, T. C. F.
International Governance and Transboundary Pollution: Towards a Global Agreement on Plastics to Tackle the Oceanic Emergency?
1st ed. Belo Horizonte: Arraes, 2023. 129 pages.
📌 MONT’ALVERNE, T. C. F.; COELHO, M. (Ed.); FREITAS, N. L. (Ed.)
Contemporary International Law: Integration, Solidarity, and Climate Emergency.
1st ed. Fortaleza: Mucuripe, 2022. Vol. 1, 379 pages.
📌 MONT’ALVERNE, T. C. F.; MOTTE-BAUMVOL, J. (Ed.)
Collection of Studies on European Union Law.
1st ed. Belo Horizonte: Editora Arraes, 2022. Vol. 1, 353 pages.
Scientific Publications 📖
As part of our commitment to academic excellence, the project has actively encouraged scientific publications by its members, both individually and in collaboration. These publications address key topics outlined during our annual conferences and reflect the depth of research conducted within the project.
To ensure accessibility, most articles have been published in open-access journals or journals with online availability, fostering broader academic dissemination. Below are some of the highlighted publications:
📌 DIOGENES, B.; VIEIRA, S. C. S.; MONT’ALVERNE, T. C. F.
An Analysis of the European Parliament’s Recommendation 2020/2129 on Obligatory Corporate Due Diligence: An Extraterritorial Instrument for Human Rights Protection in Brazil?
In: (Cor)relations Between Europe and Latin America: Current Issues and Perspectives. CRV: Curitiba, 2023, vol. 1, pp. 121-145.
📌 MONT’ALVERNE, T. C. F.; VIEIRA, S. C. S.
The (Un)necessity of Regulating Due Diligence in the European Union for the Implementation of the European Green Deal: An Analysis Based on the Paradigmatic French Law.
In: Collection of Studies on European Union Law. Belo Horizonte: Arraes, 2023, vol. 1, pp. 234-256.
📌 VASCONCELOS, M. P.; MONT’ALVERNE, T. C. F.
The Blue Carbon Market from the Perspective of the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal.
In: Human Rights, Fundamental Rights, and the Legal Thought of Professor Paulo Bonavides. Fortaleza: Mucuripe, 2023, pp. 234-260.
📌 CARVALHO, S. F.; MONT’ALVERNE, T. C. F.
Contribution to Achieving Brazil’s International Climate Targets: The Potential of Mangrove Conservation Projects in Ceará.
In: International Environmental Law and the Sustainable Development Goals. Belo Horizonte: Arraes Editora, 2023, vol. 1, pp. 139-152.
📌 SÁ LEITÃO, A. I. B. L.; MONT’ALVERNE, T. C. F.
Marine Pollution as Everyone’s Responsibility.
In: Blue Economy: Vector for the Development of Brazil. São Paulo: Essential Idea Editora, 2023, vol. 1, pp. 277-295.
📢 Stay updated with our latest publications and research insights by following us on Instagram (@gedaiufc)!
🇪🇺 Jean Monnet European Law Summer School: A Three-Year Journey of Excellence
The Jean Monnet European Law Summer School represents the first intensive training program in European Union law in the Northeastern region of Brazil. This prestigious event has been organized annually over the past three years, providing a unique opportunity for students to engage with contemporary topics in European Union law.
This free, online Summer School is available in Portuguese, English, and French, ensuring broad accessibility for participants, particularly from the Global South. By eliminating financial and linguistic barriers, the program seeks to expand access to high-quality education and promote inclusivity within the academic community.
Throughout the Summer School, distinguished experts in EU law deliver lectures on current and pertinent issues, offering valuable insights into the dynamic legal framework of the European Union. Following these lectures, doctoral students lead research seminars, fostering in-depth academic exchange and collaboration.
To further sustain this academic interaction, virtual communication is encouraged through online platforms such as SIGAA UFC, facilitating ongoing discussions and the creation of specialized channels for debates on relevant topics.
The Jean Monnet European Law Summer School remains a significant academic initiative, bringing together students, researchers, and experts from diverse backgrounds to explore the complexities of European Union law in a collaborative and inclusive environment.
🇪🇺 Short Course Description: Global Governance in the Anthropocene: Europe’s Role as a Norm Shaper
This short course examined the critical theme of global governance in the Anthropocene, with a particular focus on Europe’s potential role in shaping international norms to address contemporary global challenges. The course explored the evolving dynamics of international law and policy amidst environmental, social, and political transformations in the Anthropocene era.
Participants were given the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the shifting landscape of global governance, with special emphasis on Europe’s influence in shaping norms related to sustainability, human rights, and climate change.
A highlight of the course was a special lecture by Professor Ana Flávia Barros, a distinguished expert in international law and global governance from the University of Brasília. Professor Barros provided an in-depth analysis of Europe’s significant contributions to global governance, especially in the areas of environmental sustainability and human rights.
Through this engaging and thought-provoking course, students gained a comprehensive understanding of Europe’s pivotal role in addressing the pressing challenges of our time within the context of international law and governance in the Anthropocene.
🇪🇺 Mock Negotiation: European Union Simulation in Brazil
The Mock Negotiation: European Union Simulation in Brazil is an academic exercise organized by the European Union Delegation to Brazil, offering students a hands-on experience in the negotiation processes within the European Union. This simulation provides participants with the opportunity to delve into EU decision-making and its role in global climate negotiations. The event allows students to assume the roles of representatives from EU member states, engaging in debates, negotiations, and resolutions on key issues impacting both the region and the world. The Federal University of Ceará was one of the few institutions selected to host this prestigious simulation, which aims to enhance participants’ skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and policy-mking, while fostering a deeper understanding of European integration and its global impact.
🚨 Follow SUEB’s social media at UFC: @sueb.ce
🌱♻️🌍 Mock negotiation – Youth COP
Youth COP is a collaborative initiative between UFC (Federal University of Ceará), Université Paris Descartes, and Sorbonne Abu-Dhabi, with the goal of training the future climate leaders. This unique program provided an excellent opportunity for students to engage in a simulated climate conference, allowing them to explore and understand the key discussions among European Union member states regarding climate change. Through this partnership, participants were able to deepen their knowledge of global climate negotiations and the role of the EU in addressing environmental challenges, fostering an environment for critical thinking, debate, and international cooperation on climate issues. The program helped equip students with the skills and insights necessary for becoming influential figures in the fight against climate change.
🌍 Follow Youth COP social media at @gedai.ufc
📢 Stay updated with our latest publications and research insights by following us on Instagram (@gedaiufc)!