Sarah Maria Denta

At Copenhagen Business School, my research examines how climate law develops and functions as a legal framework for holding states accountable to their climate commitments. I focus on how national, European, and international legal mechanisms influence policy design and enforcement, and how these frameworks affect companies navigating sustainability and compliance obligations. 

Key research areas: 

European and international climate law – analyzing landmark court rulings and regulatory developments that redefine how states must implement climate policies and obligations. 

International climate agreements – including ongoing negotiations on a global plastics treaty, a pivotal framework for climate and environmental governance. 

Climate partnerships and contractual mechanisms – exploring how public and private actors can collaborate effectively to accelerate the green transition. 

Sustainability and corporate compliance – examining how legal frameworks can shape business practices and drive meaningful corporate responsibility. 

My research is not only about producing publications, but about challenging the way we think about regulation and its role in society. I am particularly motivated by connecting law, policy, and practice to ensure that climate commitments translate into tangible outcomes. 

Personal experiences, such as spending three years in Bangkok—where clean air is a scarce resource and beaches are burdened by plastic pollution—sparked my interest in climate law.