I was pleased to be asked to review The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive, a new book by barristers at 39 Essex Chambers. I was flattered – but mainly I hoped it would give my knowledge of these important topics a boost.
Climate litigation is a huge growth area. In the UK and other countries, campaigners are turning to the law out of frustration at the lack of political progress and the failure to enforce laws intended to protect the environment. Nearly three decades of negotiations under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change have not managed to halt the emission of greenhouse gases. As a result we are shooting through the 1.5 degree warming limit.
Meanwhile, UK rivers, which in theory have good legal protection, are full of sewage and pollution from farms, road run-off and more.