Australian National Conference & Oceania Regional Summit
The Oceania regional event was hosted by Melbourne Climate Futures (MCF) at Melbourne University.
The event was designed to inform and train users in Australia and Oceania on how to best implement the research and guidelines presented in the Toolbox.
It was a hybrid event, consisting of two workshop sessions, featuring leading experts in the Australia and Oceania region.
Programme
Session 1: Promising directions in corporate climate litigation
This discussion about the nature and importance of corporate climate litigation included reflections on its importance, potential future legal avenues for cases against corporates and financial entities, and the risks and the potential impacts of corporate climate litigation. Featuring:
- Ella Vines: Post-doctoral researcher, Green Lab, Monash Business School
- Zoe Bush: Senior Solicitor, Safe Climate (Corporate) at the Environmental Defenders Office
- Charlotte Turner: Senior Associate, ESG, Herbert Smith Freehills
Moderated by Arj Dibley: Head of Sustainable Finance Hub, Melbourne Climate Futures
Session 2: Corporate climate litigation in practice
The discussion included reflections on who is bringing cases against whom, evidentiary and other procedural considerations in bringing these cases, the role of science in the courtroom and impacts following judgment. Featuring:
- David Barnden: Managing Principal & CEO, Equity Generation Lawyers
- David Karoly: Professor Emeritus (honorary), University of Melbourne; honorary Senior Research Fellow, Melbourne Climate Futures
- Jolene Lin: Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore; Director, Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law
- Brian Preston: Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales
Moderated by Jacqueline Peel: Professor, Melbourne Law School; Director, Melbourne Climate Futures.
