EU Simulation "ZERO WASTE?!"

The participants from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Italy, Finland, Germany, India and Ghana, experienced how much effort is needed in the Council of Ministers to reach an agreement on EU environmental policy at European level.
Based on a draft directive from the EU Commission, they passionately discussed suitable measures to reduce plastic waste in the EU. Ambitious targets, incentives and possible sanctions were considered. The different interests of the member states led to controversial discussions. Ultimately, it was not only direct negotiations that led to success, but also informal discussions during coffee breaks and over lunch. After two hearings by the ´European Plastic Federation´ and the ´European Office for Environmental Affairs´, an agreement was reached just before the end. In the feedback round, the participants expressed how difficult it can be to find targeted, joint solutions in and for Europe and what challenges the political players have to face when shaping policy.

It was thought-provoking to see how quickly the national card is pulled out when it becomes difficult to find a compromise. Ultimately, however, the basic idea of the European Union is to solve problems together and leave no one behind. With this in mind, the Commissioner draws the following conclusion in the simulation game:

As the president of the commission, I was really glad to see that despite the very different opinions of all countries, we could find a middle point. That will always remind me that a healthy and democratic debate is really the way to achieve the best possible common goals.

At the end of the long day of negotiations, the conclusion of the participants was unanimously positive. It was surprising for many how engrossed everyone was in their roles, even during the breaks, and how quickly the day passed. The simulation encouraged a change of perspective from the point of view of different political players in the EU. This practical insight in EU decision making was particularly valuable for the international group of students from all over the world.

The lobby group 'European Plastic Federation' at the hearing in the Council of Ministers

The 'Commissioner for Environmental Affairs' opens the session at the simulation game

One-on-one consultations

Focused work at the 'Council of Ministers'

Photos: © C·A·P 2025 / Schrenk