Garrett opens climate law and policy centre

FRIDAY 6 JUNE 2008

The world’s first legal research centre devoted to climate change was officially opened at The Australian National University by Environment Minister Peter Garrett today.

The ANU Centre for Climate Law and Policy (CCLP) was established in response to a growing awareness of the legal dimensions of global warming.

Headed by Director Tim Bonyhady and Associate Director Andrew Macintosh, the Centre will carry out research on the full range of climate law and policy issues including energy law, regulation of transport and forestry emissions, international climate law and climate litigation.

It was launched with speeches from Peter Garrett, ANU Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Chubb, ANU College of Law Dean Professor Michael Coper, Centre Director Tim Bonyhady and Martijn Wilder, a partner at law firm Baker & McKenzie and one of the world’s leading commercial climate lawyers. Baker & McKenzie are the Founding Sponsor of the CCLP.

CCLP Director Tim Bonyhady said the centre would play a vital role in meeting the challenges of a fast-evolving sector.

“The ANU Centre for Climate Law and Policy will be at the forefront of climate law,” he said. “For too long questions of climate change have been dominated by scientists and economists. But climate change also raises profound legal questions for all levels of government who need to address not just how we go about reducing our greenhouse emissions, but how we adapt to climate change. The Centre has been created to explore and research these issues,” he said.

Professor Bonyhady added that the ANU Centre for Climate Law and Policy built on the University’s strength in meeting the challenges posed by climate change. “The ANU has been at the forefront of research and teaching of environmental law for the last 35 years. This Centre builds on that strength and reflects the gravity and significance of the challenges the world faces through climate change.”

Martijn Wilder, Head of Global Climate Change and Clean Energy at Baker & McKenzie, who will have an ongoing role with the CCLP, praised the collaboration between the University and the legal firm.

“We are delighted to enter this sponsorship with the CCLP. This initiative will affirm Australia’s growing role in the global initiative to tackle climate change. It will also play an important role in the development of climate law and policy, which underpins the development of carbon markets and measures to reduce global levels of greenhouse emissions,” he said.

Martyn Pearce, ANU Media Office – (02) 6125 5575 / 0416 249 245