What subject areas should be included in the mandate of a department or other institution in a developing country party jurisdiction that is responsible for addressing climate change at the national level to fully comply and benefit from the provisions of the Paris Agreement? Advice Given the cross-sectorial nature of climate change impacts, governments …

What legal standing does the US INDC/NDC, and in particular the overall economy-wide target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 26%-28% below its 2005 level in 2025 and to make best efforts to reduce its emissions by 28%, as such, has under US law and are there ways the government could be held accountable by […]

In light of the decision taken in Paris, what would be the core elements (e.g., triggers, consequences) of the most robust mechanism possible under Art 15 of the Paris Agreement? Advice: Background Under international treaty law, the primary dispute resolution / compliance tool is ordinarily an ability for a party to a treaty to refer […]

What are the legal implications of using the term “committee” or “mechanism” for the compliance section of the Paris Agreement?  Is one term necessarily broader than the other? Summary: The answers to these questions are based on the review of several international environmental agreements and other related instruments. We also …

The Co-Chairs of the Ad Hoc Working Group on the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action (ADP) have just issued a revised document. It contains sections on mitigation, adaptation, finance, technology transfer and capacity building. The new ‘Draft Agreement’ comprises 26 articles on 9 pages that cover all the areas under negotiations. However, many …