Report addresses intersection of law and environmental issues

In the context of an increase of lawsuits being brought against governments accused of insufficient action over climate change, and with the recent 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29), the International Bar Association (IBA) has published a short report on the intersection of environmental issues and the legal profession’s role in the fight against climate change and environmental degradation.

The IBA Impact Report – The environment and the legal profession (the Environment Report) is a subset of a landmark study commissioned by the IBA into the social and economic impact of the legal profession (the Impact Report).

Some of the ways in which the legal profession is contributing to green goals are identified as:

• Shaping and amending the environmental policies of public, private and third sector organizations.

• Contributing to international climate agreements.

• Advocating for state action to protect environmental concerns.

• Creating awareness amongst clients about the impact of their actions on the environment.

• Leading clients towards behaviors to mitigate risk and, even further, to “do good.”

It is also stated in the Report that advice from lawyers is becoming increasingly important in terms of sustainability and the initiatives that companies instigate as part of their environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibilities.

The survey data relating to the environment shows that:

• 53 per cent less air pollution could be achieved by improving regulatory quality.

• Countries that uphold a strong rule of law experience decreased air pollution and are quicker to adopt renewable energy initiatives.

• 50 per cent of the general public do not see a link between the legal profession and environmental sustainability.

As environmental sustainability becomes a key concern, it is also becoming increasingly important to the work of legal professionals.

Data points to Generation Z describing climate change as one of the issues they care about most.

The Environment Report can be downloaded at www.ibanet.org/document?id=IBA-Impact-Report-The-environment-and-the-legal-profession.

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