LCANZI Newsletter - March 2023
Kia ora koutou,
We hope this email finds you well, please see below an update from the last month.
New LCANZI President - Bronwyn Carruthers KC
Bronwyn Carruthers KC is stepping into the role of LCANZI President today, March 15th, following the retirement of Jenny Cooper KC. Bronwyn was an LCANZI Committee member in 2019 when we first started and has been supporting us as an LCANZI member ever since. We are excited to see her return as President already knowing the ethos of LCANZI and experience on our Committee. Bronwyn is a barrister at Shortland Chambers in Auckland who specialises in environmental, resource management and local government law. Bronwyn will bring these valuable tools and background to the role and we look forward to advancing climate action with her.
Once again we want to say a massive thank you to Jenny who co-founded LCANZI and has steered our ship for 3 years. Jenny has given countless pro-bono hours to LCANZI and this important mahi. We cannot express how appreciative we are.
LEANZ Seminar: How to fix the Emissions Trading Scheme
Dr James Every-Palmer is presenting at a Law and Economics Australia and New Zealand (LEANZ) seminar next Wednesday 22 March at 6pm. The seminar is both online and in person at Russell McVeagh, Wellington. Description:
The Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is the primary method for the New Zealand Government to achieve its long-term commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. It is often referred to as a “cap and trade” scheme. However, there is little or no capping as the available units far exceed our budgeted emissions. Furthermore, by treating a tonne of removals from forestry as being just as good as a reducing our gross emissions by a tonne, the ETS has incentivised pine planting but not a reduction in our gross emissions. The seminar will discuss these issues and provide thoughts on how to fix it.
You can register for this free event here.
Climate conscious lawyering
LCANZI Committee member, Dr James-Every Palmer KC, has written a paper on what lawyers can do in relation to climate change. James encourages you to respond to the climate crisis by engaging in climate conscious lawyering and answers the questions: What is climate conscious lawyering? Why should I be a climate conscious lawyer? And, what can I do about climate change? The paper also gives an overview of climate litigation in Aotearoa over the last year.
You can read this comprehensive and informative paper here.
The paper is reproduced from the CPD Day Conference 2023 with the kind permission of NZLS CLE Ltd.
ESG and pro-bono work STudy
Those lawyers whose workplace offers both pro-bono advice and ESG advice may be interested in an international study that is underway. The Australian Pro-Bono Centre is asking for volunteers to participate in a global study of the interaction between ESG work and pro-bono practices. They are looking for submissions in a variety of formats from law firms, in-house teams, individual practitioners, public interest law organisations and academics.
Proposals can be submitted at here. A 400 word outline proposal is to be submitted by 31 March.
If you have queries about what is involved, contact our pro-bono coordinator and we will forward the information we have received from the Australian Pro-Bono Centre.
Thank you for your ongoing support of LCANZI, please email admin@lawyersforclimateaction.nz if you have any questions or concerns.
Noho ora mai rā
LCANZI Committee