All attendees heard from panellists on how the law can be used to tackle the climate and nature crisis, what duties states have regarding environmental and climate governance, the challenges of climate litigation in domestic courts and finally on how community campaigners have been able to make effective use of the law. Attendees could also choose from two of eight breakout discussions on a range of issues relating to climate reparations, rights of nature, protest rights, and information disclosure requests. In this blog post, two students reflect on their experiences.
Nauman Nadeem
The conference was a unique opportunity to exchange ideas and build networks with practitioners, campaigners, public authorities and journalists, who understand what is at stake if the climate emergency is not addressed. In the face of what can seem an impossible challenge, I was invigorated by the energy and optimism attendees brought to the event.
One theme around which the discussions of the day centred was accountability. Panellists described how developments in domestic and international courts can impose duties on powerful state and non-state actors, which can be invoked to hold them accountable. Panellists in the data rights breakout discussion showed that there can be no accountability without first exposing the decisions being taken behind closed doors.
Another theme which emerged from discussions was the importance of being tenacious. Dr. Sonam Ghordan outlined the challenges of using domestic courts as an arena for change, bound as they are by precedent and rigid constitutional rules. However, Estelle Dehon KC framed her work as a barrister as an example of how through persistence and strategic effort, litigation can build momentum, influence public opinion, and eventually even lead to “common sense winning out.”
Finally, the discussions of the day reinforced the importance of community. From developing a relationship of guardianship with nature, to making the law an accessible option for the communities it is meant to serve, I felt that this must surely be the driving force behind everyone who is passionate about fighting for the planet. As panellist and “anti-fracking nana” Tina Louise Rothery put it, when the future of so many communities is on the line how can we not fight?
From samba performances to the breakout discussions, this was an event that embodied joyful resistance in the face of adversity. It was an important reminder, delivered by some of the most inspiring voices in environmental law, that by using the full range of tools available to us, we can promote transparency, accountability and in doing so achieve justice.