The ELA Annual Conference: New Frontiers in Climate Law and Governance
Register to attend the Annual Conference: 13-14 October 2023
Check out the conference programme:
ANNUAL ELA CONFERENCE PROGRAMME rev10
Climate law and governance measures around the world are rapidly evolving. Climate action by civil society and the judiciary, legislature and executive is taking hold. Activism by the Climate Justice Charter Movement, new climate case law, the introduction of draft legislation such as the Climate Change Bill, and the activities of the Presidential Climate Commission are examples. Given the need to urgently mitigate GHG emissions, and to adapt to climate change impacts, presenters at the Environmental Law Association of South Africa’s 2023 Annual Conference will grapple with the questions:
What are the new frontiers in law and governance aimed at addressing climate change in South Africa and beyond?
Do they go far enough?
What more needs to be done?
Our Annual Conference will take place in person at Nelson Mandela University, Gqeberha, thanks to our host ELA Exco member, Tanya Wagenaar. All are welcome! Please register by completing the registration form available here.
The (hybrid) Student Conference will take place on 12 October.
Abstracts have been submitted engaging with the following:
The world is changing at a tremendous pace. Everyday new threats to Earth systems functioning come to the fore linked to climate change, including rapid biodiversity and habitat loss and emergencies in relation to health and extreme weather events. These threats undermine the pursuit of social, environmental, climate, and interspecies justice. Amidst the prevailing climate crisis, food, water, and energy security all over the world are imperiled, including in South Africa where inequality is rife.
Despite the urgent need to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and pursue a just transition to renewable energy, geopolitics and the war in Ukraine have caused the emergence of new markets for oil and gas, found in Africa. At the same time, alternative technologies are being introduced to address the energy crisis, some of which are not tested. In this context, state actors have an important role to play in combating climate change and its many implications. Yet, gaps in the law and implementation failures (such as uneven or ineffective law enforcement) are hampering climate mitigation and adaptation efforts. Multinational corporations are also important role players who are increasingly expected to report on their environmental and social governance (ESG).
Countries all over the world are formulating new policies, laws, and governance measures to address the threats to humans and the environment due to climate change. Examples in South Africa include the Carbon Tax Act, the Climate Change Bill, and the Presidential Climate Commission’s Just Transition Framework. These measures represent ‘new frontiers’ in climate law and governance aimed at fulfilling the country’s commitments under the Paris Agreement. Against the background of a changing world in a time of climate crisis, this conference focuses on ‘New Frontiers in Climate Law and Governance’.
The deadline for submission of abstracts was 1 Sept 2023.
Conference fees:
Annual Conference:
ELA members: R1000
Non-Members: R1300
Students/pensioners/candidate attorneys/pupillage: R450
Student conference:
Students: Free attendance
Non-students: R150 in-person / online free