Future generations take climate change to court | ticker VIEWS

Younger generations put pressure on Governments to act on climate change

Professor Jacqueline Peel is a leading internationally recognised expert in the field of environmental and climate change law. Peel is an active contributor to public policy formulation on climate change. Also working closely on environmental issues at the national and international levels.

Professor Peel says while many in the community are taking action against climate change, she is on a mission to hold those who aren’t accountable.

“Companies are already beginning to step up there action to address climate change,

and they’re facing more pressure from shareholders and investors to come up to the challenge.” 

Professor Jacqueline Peel, Environmental and Climate Change Law

Climate law prevails

Professor Peel has worked on the International Law Association’s Committee on Legal Principles Relating to Climate Change. The International Bar Association’s Working Group on a Model Statute for Climate Change Relief, and the Australian Panel of Experts in Environmental Law.

Her research has attracted competitive funding from various organisations, including the Australian Research Council, and the United States Studies Centre.

A sustainable climb for future generations

Most recently, there are legal concerns that the Australian Government’s push to invest public money into fossil fuels and non-renewable technologies could be illegal. It is open to legal challenges in the future.

This follows a landmark Land and Environment Court decision requiring the Environment Protection Authority in New South Wales to act on climate change. A decision that NSW Minister Matt Kean says the Government would not appeal.

There have also been a series of other recent court decisions on climate change. This includes Federal Minister Susan Ley having a duty of care to protect young people from the climate crisis.

Professor Peel has developed a strategy for climate change litigation, which is being used by environment groups.

COP26 climate summit

In under 50 days, the world will be watching on as the COP26 climate summit takes place in Glasgow. The courts won’t have a role in this decision-making process at the summit but will have a critical role to play afterward.

You can watch this week’s full episode here