New Report Summarizing the Outcomes of the Durban Climate Change Conference
Posted by admin in Adaptation, Events, International law, Mitigation on May 14, 2012
In preparation for the next UNFCCC session, taking place from May 14-25 in Bonn, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has commissioned a detailed analysis of the outcomes of the Durban Climate Change Conference. The publication, “Taking Stock of Durban – Review of the Key Outcomes and the Road Ahead,” analyzes what was achieved at COP 17/CMP 7 last December and what needs to be done for the road ahead.
The publication can be accessed here.
Climate Change Lawyers Network Contributes to NRTEE Report on Climate Change Resilience
Posted by admin in Adaptation, Canadian law, Lawyers on May 2, 2012
A team of lawyers and law students from the Climate Change Lawyers Network (CCLN) worked with Ceres to contribute research and analysis on corporate securities disclosure relating to climate change risks and opportunities for the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE)’s report Facing the Elements: Building Business Resilience in a Changing Climate : Advisory Report.
The Ceres/CCLN team reviewed climate-related information provided in 35 issuers’ 2010 annual filings and voluntary disclosure. The report finds the following:
Quality disclosure is the foundation of strong capital markets; this includes disclosure about material risks from climate change and its impacts. Despite guidance to the effect already issued by the Canadian Securities Administrators, climate change risk disclosure in financial filings is limited, at best. Better enforcement of disclosure requirements is necessary, as are effective approaches for companies to demonstrate the value of climate change risk management and adaptation actions to investors.
This work follows up on previous research conducted by Ceres and CCLN for the Ontario Securities Commission on securities disclosure and climate change.
The CCLN team included:
Alex Kocherga
Andrew Lord
Graham Erion (CCLN Team Lead)
Ian Miron
Sarah Colgrove
Sheila Ritson-Bennett
Travis Allan
The report can be accessed here.
NRTEE Releases Climate Change Report
Posted by admin in Adaptation, Canadian law, Mitigation on April 30, 2012
The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) has released an advisory report entitled “Climate Prosperity – Facing the Elements: Building Business Resilience in a Changing Climate”. The report goes beyond detailing the challenges brought on by climate change and explores opportunities for positive adaptation and prosperity. CCLN was a proud to contributitor to the report, offering both its research skills and climate expertise to the NRTEE
Click here to read a Globe & Mail article discussing the report and the federal government’s recent decision to eliminate the NRTEE.
CCLN Letter to the Globe & Mail Regarding Cuts to the NRTEE
Posted by admin in Canadian law on April 4, 2012
In response to the federal government’s recent budget cuts to environmental programs, specifically the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy, the CCLN executive has written a letter to the editorial board of the Globe & Mail. See below for the text of the letter:
Dear Editor,
Your recent editorial on the federal budget’s attack on environmental groups shone a welcome spotlight on our government’s pettiness towards its critics. We wish it had also condemned the unconscionable decision to abolish the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy.
NRTEE, created by former Conservative PM Brian Mulroney, provided invaluable independent environmental and economic research and policy recommendations. Its work inspired a broad audience of students, scientists, professionals and citizens across the country (all for a meager annual budget of $5.5 million).
Shutting down such a successful agency, one that brought industry and civil society together to find solutions to environmental problems, does a disservice to us all. Losing NRTEE will make the eventual cost of rectifying our climate crisis vastly more expensive than whatever amount has just been “saved.”
Sincerely,
Travis Allan and Julia Croome, Co-Chairs, Climate Change Lawyers Network
Photos of the March 12, 2012 CCLN Event
Posted by admin in Canadian law, Events, International law, Lawyers on April 1, 2012
CCLN’s inaugural 2012 event, an update on Canadian greenhouse gas regulation was a resounding success. Gray Taylor and Doug Clarke headlined the informative discussion.
Below are a few photos of the event:
Upcoming March 5, 2012 CCLN Event
Posted by admin in Canadian law, Events, International law, Lawyers, Mitigation on February 22, 2012
Join the Climate Change Lawyers Network for our inaugural event of 2012, a cross-Canada update on greenhouse gas regulation. Bennett Jones will be hosting a discussion at 7:00pm on March 5, 2012 with Gray Taylor and Doug Clarke.
Gray and Doug will discuss the status of provincial climate change law in light of Canada’s recent withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol, focusing on developments with the voluntary Western Climate Initiative (WCI).
Doug, with a practice based in Quebec, will provide insights on the new emissions regulations in Quebec and the structure of the province’s cap and trade system; he will also consider the impact of developments in California and some of the convergences/divergences between these two fastest moving jurisdictions in the WCI.
Gray will review anticipated developments in Ontario and lead a discussion on the state of voluntary trading in anticipation of a compliance system.
The event will take place at Bennett Jones LLP, First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, suite 3400.
Please rsvp to Sarah Robicheau at srobicheau@davis.ca.
Upcoming Market Brief on Environmental Issues and Energy
Posted by admin in Events, International law, Mitigation on February 22, 2012
The Chartered Accountants of Canada are hosting a conversation with Jason Grumet, Executive Director of the National Commission on Energy Policy and former advisor on Energy and Environment for the Obama campaign.
The conversation will focus on climate and energy policy in North America, the oil sands, and lessons to be learned from the Keystone XL project.
The event will take place from 4pm until 6pm on March 29 at the Toronto Board of Trade.
Tickets can be purchased here.
Climate Justice Webinar
Posted by admin in Events, International law, Mitigation on February 19, 2012
The Foundation for International Environmental Law and Development (FIELD), a respected UK law firm that tackles international environmental issues, is hosting a webinar on climate justice on February 21, 2012 at 14:00-15:00 GMT.
The webinar will focus on creating legal strategies to hold polluters accountable and compensate victims of climate change.
The webinar can be accessed here.
New Proposed CEPA Regulations for Limiting Greenhouse Gas Emissions from On-Road Light-Duty Vehicles
Posted by admin in Canadian law, Mitigation on January 29, 2012
The Canadian government has released a consultation document that describes the main elements under consideration for future regulations to limit greenhouse gas emissions from certain new automobiles starting with the model year 2017.
The consultation document can be found here.
Chart and List of American Climate Change Lawsuits
Posted by admin in International law, Lawyers, Mitigation on January 29, 2012
A comprehensive chart and list of U.S. climate change lawsuits is now available. The extensive list contains a brief synopsis of each case.
Access thechart and list here.