European Political Economy, Networked Interest and Sustainable Investment. A Conceptual and Qualifying Study on the Ability of Interest Groups to Influence Environmental Regulatory Outcomes: The European Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth, 2015-2

Abstract: To this day, the question of how economic development and lasting transformation take place remains both highly controversial and relevant for future growth perspectives. Questions of influence, representation of interests and power to shape legislation are faded out of the focus of economic research. By combining these aspects with network modelling techniques and a newly compiled dataset of 112 consultation replies concerning the European regulation of sustainable investment, this thesis contributes to the growing work on economic transformation processes. Together with data on bilateral meetings and expert group memberships, a picture of asymmetrical influence appears. The thesis finds that inter- temporality of power resource allocation leads to higher regime resistance against stricter environmental regulation. Furthermore, contextual change translates into regulatory change with a time lag, dependent on network characteristics and the ability to influence the institutional and public discourse. The results of this thesis show the need for closer further and more interdisciplinary research on sustainable investment.