CRI - CEENRG Seminar

CRI - CEENRG Seminar

Advancing Environmental Protection through the Duty of Due Diligence: Legal Stability vs Innovation

Dr Penelope Ridings, Member of the International Law Commission and New Zealand Barrister practicing in the field of public international law.

This talk will consider the articulation by the Court of the duty of due diligence, and will question whether due diligence provides an avenue for enhanced environmental protection beyond the climate change context.

The ICJ Advisory Opinion on the Obligations of States in respect of Climate Change affirmed that the duty to prevent significant harm to the environment applies to climate change and that compliance with this duty requires States to act with due diligence. The Court based its reasoning on earlier judicial decisions, thereby reinforcing continuity and stability in the international legal system. It also addressed the interpretation of the Paris Agreement in light of due diligence, thereby contributing both to the Agreement’s interpretation and potentially to the development of international law more broadly. This lecture will consider the articulation by the Court of the duty of due diligence as well as the question of whether due diligence provides an avenue for enhanced environmental protection beyond the climate change context.

Followed by networking & refreshments in the Common Room from 16:00.

To join online, please register for a Zoom link by filling out this form.