8 June 2017

LRI lawyers with a delegate from the Congo

A team of altogether 8 LRI lawyers attended the 46th session of the climate convention’s permanent subsidiary bodies (for implementation and for scientific and technological advice) as well as the 3rd part of the first session of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Paris Agreement in Bonn from 8 to 18 May. Two volunteers, Marie-Aure Perreaut and Deniz Kemal describe their experience during the first week of the meeting:

“This is our first time in Bonn. From the situation room to the negotiations, it’s exciting to see how the LRI works on the ground to assist LDCs with legal questions they may have. From our first meetings with delegates, we are starting to get a sense of the wide range of concerns developing countries face: regarding the development of the Paris Agreement Rulebook, interpretation of obligations under the PA and review of domestic climate change related laws. After what was, by all accounts, smooth opening plenaries, negotiations are underway and we’re very much looking forward to see how the rest of the week unfolds!”

In connection with the Bonn meeting, LRI received 29 queries. 11 from least developed countries (LDCs) and the LDC group, 13 from other developing nations and 5 from NGOs. We are grateful to all the volunteers and experts who support our work and the most climate vulnerable actors in the negotiations!

2 May 2017

 

29 March 2017

Mr Seth Osafo, a Ghanaian lawyer, has been appointed as a new Trustee of the LRI Board. Mr Osafo brings to the Board a deep knowledge of climate change law and policy and a wealth of experience of the international process, having worked at a number of UN agencies since the early 1990s including as senior legal adviser to the UNFCCC secretariat as well as UNEP. Mr Osafo was also the Head of the Legal Division of the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary General for the Future Status of Kosovo, HE. Martti Ahtisaari, former President of Finland. Since 2009 he has been a consultant to the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), UNITAR and the African Development Bank providing legal advice to African negotiators at the UN climate Negotiations.

On his appointment Seth stated that “ I look forward to joining an organization whose work on the legal issues arising from the climate change negotiations has greatly benefitted African negotiators”.

Kate Cook, LRI Chair, commented that Seth will “bring invaluable insight into the perspectives of developing country negotiators at the climate change negotiations, and in particular those who are most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, as we develop our capacity to provide assistance with national implementation of the Paris Agreement.”

14 November 2016

A team of LRI lawyers is attending the 22nd Conference of the Parties (COP22) to the UNFCCC in Marrakesh. To get in touch please email: liaisonofficers@legalresponse.org

In collaboration with UN Environment (UNEP), LRI also organised a round-table discussion on legal preparedness for the Paris Agreement as part of the Law and Governance Day. The event built on a climate legislation workshop previously held in London exploring the different approaches and ideas for supporting developing countries in their legislative efforts to respond to climate change and implement their commitments under the new Paris climate agreement (the report is available online).

The COP22 Law and Governance Day is aimed at sharing, strengthening, and generating new legal and institutional innovations in the law and policy reform elements of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the Paris Agreement.

Alina Averchenkova of the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment (at LSE) presented some findings of a study on climate legislation worldwide. The research indicates that at present only four jurisdictions are fully prepared to implement the commitments contained in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). A summary of the key trends is already available at: http://www.lse.ac.uk/GranthamInstitute/publication/2015-global-climate-legislation-study/ – the final report will be released on November 17.

Stephen Minas of the Dickson Poon School of Law at King’s College highlighted that legislation may not always be necessary but can send important signals to investors of climate solutions (that require legal certainty). Likewise, regulatory interventions need to consider domestic particularities and are also an opportunity for joint approaches in developing legislation and domestic capacity building.

Robert Ondhowe of the UNEP’s Law Division provided insights on how the Programme is supporting developing countries with respect to legal preparedness. During the following discussion participants brought up other areas of relevant research (e.g. on NDCs in the Maghreb region) and debated on how climate relevant laws may be defined and aligned with (future) requirements under the Paris Agreement.

2 October 2016

In collaboration with the Climate & Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), LRI has been hosting a two-day event in London to develop approaches and ideas for supporting developing countries in their legislative efforts to respond to climate change and implement their commitments under the new Paris climate agreement.

A public panel discussion took place at PricewaterhouseCoopers on 27 September to assess the post-Paris needs and challenges for effective climate change action in developing countries. This led to a vibrant discussion between development organisations, donor agencies, legal professionals and representatives of foreign missions based in London. Moderated by Edward King of Climate Home, the event also marked the launch of a new initiative by the legal community and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), offering expert legal advice to vulnerable countries to translate international climate ambition into action.

Key issues raised were considered further at an expert workshop on the following day at Simmons & Simmons. Around 40 participants from private practice, academia and intergovernmental organisations presented their work on legal drafting, comparing existing legislation, stakeholder engagement and other areas that should inform the development of climate or climate relevant legislation in the future. Some of them had travelled to London from Germany, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and the US.

The workshop discussion focused on the different approaches necessary in developing complex climate legislation. Participants made suggestions on, for example, how to assess and improve legal frameworks, create a network for support and capacity building, and balance climate change objectives with or societal concerns. The findings will be captured in a concise report and could be further developed into a tool for legal drafters in developing countries in the review and development of legislation in different thematic areas.

Workshop presentations on (1) Analyzing climate change legislation, a (2) Brief typology on national climate change legislation and (4) Legislative drafting are available here and (3) Consistency of national efforts with the PA at https://legalresponse.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Climate-legislation-3.pdf