Global antitrust sustainability heatmap
Businesses face mounting pressure from governments, investors, and consumers to meet sustainability objectives. Achieving those targets often requires collaboration - whether to standardise measurement, share infrastructure costs, pool R&D, improve supply chain traceability, or scale circularity systems. Yet sustainability collaboration sits squarely within the reach of competition law, and poorly structured initiatives can trigger antitrust liability.
The practical challenge is that the global approach is diverging. Some jurisdictions have issued sustainability specific competition guidance, created “open door” informal consultation routes, or introduced authorisation mechanisms. Others remain cautious, have limited published practice, or apply heightened scrutiny - particularly where sustainability is perceived as a vehicle for restricting competition, increasing prices, limiting output, or coordinating strategy.
This heatmap summarises the key rules, guidance, enforcement priorities, and practical pathways across jurisdictions, and highlights where the law is relatively settled versus where risk remains high or uncertain. It is intended as a tool for in house teams and deal/practice counsel to structure sustainability initiatives that are both effective and legally robust. This map is based on knowledge built up through White & Case’s long-standing presence in these jurisdictions, its close relationships with local counsel, and on publicly available sources. Should you require advice on specific projects, distilling common principles or more detailed information on a specific jurisdiction (or others not included in the map), please contact Michael Engel and James Killick or your usual White & Case contact. This page was last updated in September 2026.
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This heatmap is prepared for the general information of interested persons. It is not, and does not attempt to be, comprehensive in nature. Due to the general nature of its content, it should not be regarded as legal advice.