KNVIR | Monthly Archives: September 2018

CLIMATE CHANGE:
OPTIONS AND DUTIES UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW

Annual Meeting of the
ROYAL NETHERLANDS SOCIETY OF INTERNATIONAL LAW
on Friday 2 November 2018 at 1:30 P.M.

Room 3.60, Wijnhavengebouw, Campus The Hague, Leiden University

Turfmarkt 99, 2511 DP The Hague

Looking away is no option anymore: Climate change is a serious threat to the world and to mankind, even if we fully live up to the obligations and commitments under the 2015 Paris Agreement. The Special Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change that came out this month made it clear that every effort must be made without delay to limit global warming to 1.5° C.

International law can help to realise our vitally important climate goals. With that in mind the Board of the Society has commissioned three papers that approach climate change from different legal perspectives: human rights, liability under private law and the law of the sea.

At the 2018 Annual Meeting the authors will present their papers. The presentations will be followed by a debate in which the audience will have the opportunity to participate.

SPEAKERS:

Prof.dr Ellen Hey and Dr Federica Violi

The Hard Work of Regime Interaction: –
Climate Change and Human Rights

Prof.mr dr Jaap Spier

Private Law as a Crowbar for Coming to Grips with Climate Change?

Prof.mr dr Fred H.A. Soons

An Ocean under Stress: Climate Change and the Law of the Sea

* * * * *

Mr Roger H.J. Cox

Mr Roger Cox has been invited to deliver a presentation on procedural aspects of climate related court cases, based on his personal experience as a practising lawyer. In his book Revolution Justified (2011) Mr Cox defended the position that the state can be held liable under private law for failing to take its responsibility for the climate. He represented Urgenda when it won its climate case against the State of the Netherlands in 2015 (the decision was upheld on appeal this month) and currently he heads the legal team of Friends of the Earth (Milieudefensie) who are preparing a case against Shell based on its obligations under the Paris Agreement.

At 1:00 P.M. the Annual General Meeting of the KNVIR will be held, to which only members are admitted.

The presentation of the biennial François Prize will take place immediately following the members-only part of the meeting, at approximately 1:30 P.M.

Non-members interested in the subject of the meeting are welcome to attend the presentation of the François Prize, as well as the presentations and the discussion of the papers.

The presentations and discussion will be held in English.

The printed version of the papers has been published by T.M.C. Asser Press in The Hague and may be ordered by non-members by applying to ln.re1568536208ssa@s1568536208serp1568536208. Members have received the papers via regular mail.

Coffee and tea will be available from 12:30 P.M. onwards.

PLEASE NOTE: If you wish to attend the meeting, you are kindly requested to register in advance at gro.r1568536208ivnk@1568536208ofni1568536208.

The PDF version of this announcement can be found here.