International Climate Law
Contributing to Inter-American Court of Human Rights Process
In collaboration with the Global Strategic Litigation Council and a coalition of Caribbean civil society groups, Cornerstone Barristers contributed to an amicus brief submitted to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. This brief addresses state obligations concerning climate change and human rights, responding to a request for an Advisory Opinion from Chile and Colombia. We worked alongside leading legal experts to highlight the imperative for countries to implement effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. This collaborative effort emphasises the importance of public access to information and participation in decision-making processes, particularly for marginalised and vulnerable communities.
Work on Fossil Fuel Taxes
We have advised national and international NGOs on options for taxing fossil fuels at UK and EU level, providing legal input into briefing papers concerning taxation of aviation fuels and on various options for taxation of fossil fuel companies operating in the EU.
Advocacy at the Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee
Our expertise in international environmental law is further demonstrated through our work with the UN’s Aarhus Convention Compliance Committee regarding public participation in environmental law. Representing communicants, we successfully argued for the extension of the Aarhus costs regime to include claims under Section 288 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Our involvement also includes representing the UK Government before the Committee and serving as stakeholder advisors to the Committee concerning its practice and procedure. These efforts underscore our commitment to upholding and advancing environmental justice on a global scale.
Supporting Paris Agreement-Aligned Investment in Africa
Recognising the critical need for sustainable development, our team has been involved in editing a comprehensive toolkit that outlines legal frameworks for investments aligned with the Paris Agreement across Africa’s 54 states. This resource is designed to guide investors and legal professionals in supporting Africa’s transition to a green economy. This project reflects our dedication to fostering legal environments that promote climate-resilient development in one of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
Thought Leadership
We are involved with global efforts to implement the Paris Agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which includes organising and speaking at events examining the role of law and lawyers at the UNFCCC’s annual COPs. We lead ongoing initiatives inside and outside the UNFCCC framework providing legal assistance to developing nations seeking to make the green transition and implement their nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement:
- At the International Bar Association’s Annual Conference 2023 in Paris, where we shared extensive experiences in applying international environmental law and aligning legal advice with the frameworks essential for the transition to net zero.
- At the Climate Law and Governance Initiative ‘Live from Bonn’ in June 2024, discussing developments at the current UNFCCC negotiations;
- At New York Climate Week in October 2024, feeding into the discussion on the implications of the climate crisis for the legal sector;
- At COP29 in Baku in November 2024, where we assisted with the planning of a Blue Zone Side Event – Beyond national frameworks: Lawyers and law associations enhancing ambition through legal approaches;
This engagement underscores our role as thought leaders in the global legal community, advocating for practices and policies that address the urgent demands of climate change.
Training in International Climate Change Law
At Cornerstone Barristers, we recognise the critical importance of understanding the evolving international climate change regime, which has expanded since the UNFCCC was established. While the annual COP meetings are prominently covered in the media, their complex and often misunderstood processes significantly influence national climate legislation and action. To bridge this gap, we offered specialised training alongside Legal Response International to provide an essential overview of the UNFCCC, the intricacies of COP negotiations, and the crucial role legal practitioners play in these international discussions.
Global Leadership in Climate Law
Cornerstone Climate’s Estelle Dehon KC and Nina Pindham both won the prestigious Global Leadership Award in Climate Law at COP27, for engaging bar associations in climate law solutions and practice in the UK, Canada and globally. This initiative aims to equip lawyers with the knowledge and tools necessary to better serve their clients in the face of evolving climate challenges.