Climate Discourse

Timo Leiter: Climate Change Adaptation and the Paris Agreement

For our first episode of 2023, Kate speaks with Timo Leiter about his recent CCLR article, ‘Too Little, Too Slow? Climate Adaptation at the United Nations Climate Change Negotiations Since the Adoption of the Paris Agreement’. Timo takes the opportunity to provide further context and background on his framework for tracking and assessing negotiation outcomes, explains how the negotiations have evolved and identifies adaptation related gaps that can be addressed at a global level. Timo is a ...

Polar Shift: The Arctic Sustained - A Conversation with Joe DiMento

In this special episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks with Joe DiMento about his new book Polar Shift: The Arctic Sustained.  Joe explains how his previous work on regional seas, his travels in the arctic  and the increasing importance of the region  inspired his work. They also discuss the challenges in defining the region, some of the most pressing legal issues, the  existing legal gaps and the tremendous impact the region has on the rest of the world, environmentally, politically and...

Brian Mantlana: COP 27, UNFCCC Negotiations and the Importance of Coalition Building

For this month’s episode, Kate sat down with Dr. Brian Mantlana. Brian leads the work on climate change at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and is a Commissioner on South Africa’s Presidential Climate Change Commission. Kate spoke to Brian about a paper he published in the most recent issue of CCLR which takes a look at the upcoming COP 27, Egypt’s role as this year’s host, the importance of the UNFCCC negotiations and the role coalitions play within that process. Brian als...

Harro van Asselt: Climate Change Litigation, Scholactivism and the Evolution of Climate Law and Governance

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks to CCLR board member Harro van Asselt. Harro is an SEI Affiliated Researcher at the SEI Oxford Centre and Professor of Climate Law and Policy at the University of Eastern Finland. In a wide-ranging discussion, Harro and Kate discuss climate change litigation, 'scholactivism', the evolution of climate law and governance and the potential for a future international agreement on fossil fuel non-proliferation. 

Harro van Asselt: Climate Change Litigation, Scholactivism and the Evolution of Climate Law and Governance

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks to CCLR board member Harro van Asselt. Harro is an SEI Affiliated Researcher at the SEI Oxford Centre and Professor of Climate Law and Policy at the University of Eastern Finland. In a wide-ranging discussion, Harro and Kate discuss climate change litigation, 'scholactivism', the evolution of climate law and governance and the potential for a future international agreement on fossil fuel non-proliferation. 

Lisa de Marco: Article 6, Intergenerational Perspectives and Long Distance Running

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks with Lisa DeMarco. Lisa is on the CCLR Editorial Board and is a Senior Partner and CEO of Resilience LLP. She is also the Chair of the International Emissions Trading Association. Kate and Lisa talk about Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, carbon markets, food security and the importance of intergenerational perspectives. Lisa also recounts how her meditation practice and her love of long distance running have helped her both personally and pr...

Lisa Benjamin: Non-State Actors, Corporate Responsibility and Equity in Climate and Energy Transitions

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks with CCLR Associate Editor Lisa Benjamin. Lisa is an Associate Professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland Oregon and also a member of the UNFCCC Compliance Committee’s Facilitative Branch and the Race to Zero Expert Peer Review Group. Kate and Lisa speak about the role of non-state actors in reaching climate and temperature goals, climate risk exposure and corporate responsibility, the importance of equity in energy and climate transit...

Lisa Benjamin: Non-State Actors, Corporate Responsibility and Equity in Climate and Energy Transitions

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks with CCLR Associate Editor Lisa Benjamin. Lisa is an Associate Professor at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland Oregon and also a member of the UNFCCC Compliance Committee’s Facilitative Branch and the Race to Zero Expert Peer Review Group. Kate and Lisa speak about the role of non-state actors in reaching climate and temperature goals, climate risk exposure and corporate responsibility, the importance of equity in energy and climate transit...

Olivia Rumble & Andrew Gilder: Carbon Tax, Climate Finance, Seagulls and Ballet

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate talks to Olivia Rumble and Andrew Gilder about the multidisciplinary approach they take to their work, the complexities of the Article 6 rulebook, Andrew’s career as a ballet dancer and how children keep you grounded.  

Special Edition: The Law of Enhanced Weathering for Carbon Dioxide Removal

In its most recent report, the IPCC once again stated that in addition to decarbonising the world economy, we are likely to need a significant push to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere if we are to meet the 1.5 degrees target. In addition to the required technological developments, it is important that we also create effective governance approaches. With this in mind, Kate was joined by Wil Burns for a special edition of the Climate Discourse podcast to discuss the fascinating scienc...

Francesco Sindico: COP26, Scottish Islands and Climate Change Litigation

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks to Francesco Sindico about COP 26, the carbon neutrality of Scottish islands and the future of climate litigation.

David Driesen: Dangers to Democracy, the Intersection of Economics and Law and the Contemporary Challenges of Climate Policy

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks to David Driesen about his personal path from music to law, Donald Trump inspiring his new book on judicial enabling of presidential power, the intersection of economics and law and the contemporary challenges of climate policy.   

Wil Burns: Carbon Removal Law, Nature Based Solutions and the Challenges of Geoengineering

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks to Wil Burns about how his interest in oceans gave him his start in climate law, the necessity for large scale removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the issues that worry him around the development of carbon removal technology and the most exciting advancements in the field of geoengineering. 

Wil Burns: Carbon Removal Law, Nature Based Solutions and the Challenges of Geoengineering

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks to Wil Burns about how his interest in oceans gave him his start in climate law, the necessity for large scale removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, the issues that worry him around the development of carbon removal technology and the most exciting advancements in the field of geoengineering. 

Leonie Reins: Law as an Enabler of Sustainability, Energy Democracy and Academic Kindness

In this episode of Climate Discourse, Kate speaks to Leonie Reins about her career, bridging the gap between academia and practice, her recent publications and the kindness of the climate law community.  

Michael Mehling: Policy Instruments, Legal Innovation and an 80 Acre Farm

Michael Mehling: Policy Instruments, Legal Innovation and an 80 Acre Farm