UVic graduate students experience COP
December 12, 2024
UVic faculty and students played key roles at both the biodiversity conference of the parties in Colombia and the climate conference of the parties in Azerbaijan.
At both events, legal scholars, policymakers and practitioners addressed pressing biodiversity and climate governance challenges. Two UVic law PhD students report on their experiences at the events.
Smriti Pokhrel: Evolving knowledge and meaningful contributions
The University of Victoria (UVic) displayed an important role in two key global events organized by the Centre for International Sustainable Development Law: Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2024 on October 26 at Cali, Colombia and Climate Law and Governance Day 2024 during the COP29 climate negotiations on November 15 at Baku, Azerbaijan. Both these events brought together legal scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to address pressing biodiversity and climate governance challenges.
Biodiversity Law and Governance Day 2024
This event convened experts to explore legal frameworks and governance strategies for halting biodiversity loss and promoting sustainable use of ecosystems. The panels emphasized issues such as the legal implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, equity in resource access, and the role of indigenous governance systems in biodiversity conservation. These discussions provided actionable insights for policymakers, underscoring the event’s importance in advancing international biodiversity goals. The focus of the Discussion was on:
- Indigenous Rights and Biodiversity Conservation: Exploring the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and Western legal frameworks in protecting biodiversity.
- International Biodiversity Law and Policy: Analyzing global efforts to conserve biodiversity and address threats like climate change and habitat loss.
- Emerging Issues in Biodiversity Law: Discussing novel challenges and opportunities in the field, such as synthetic biology and digital sequence information.
Professor Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, a globally renowned expert in sustainable development law and an adjunct faculty member at UVic, was central to this event. As an organizer and speaker, she facilitated discussions on advancing legal solutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Her expertise provided critical insights into the intersection of biodiversity law and global sustainable development goals, offering pathways to strengthen legal frameworks and governance mechanisms.
In this event I took on the dual roles of moderator and a discussant at the Roundtable Workshop. As a moderator I guided discussions, ensuring a balanced exchange of ideas among participants. I presented my research on Nepalese Indigenous Land rights and treaties in the Roundtable Workshop ‘Fostering Biodiversity through Indigenous Treaty Law.’ I attempted to advocate for innovative research in biodiversity governance, underscoring UVic’s commitment to fostering impactful academic contributions from its students.
Climate Law and Governance Day 2024
This event focused on legal mechanisms to implement the Paris Agreement and strengthen climate action. Panels explored crucial topics such as climate finance law, renewable energy governance, and the legal aspects of net-zero transitions. The sessions encouraged collaboration across sectors, fostering solutions to overcome barriers to effective climate policy implementation.
- Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: Examining legal and policy frameworks for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilience to climate impacts.
- Climate Finance and Investment: Discussing the role of public and private finance in supporting climate action and sustainable development.
- Climate Justice and Human Rights: Exploring the ethical dimensions of climate change and the rights of vulnerable communities.
Cordonier Segger again served as a key organizer and speaker, leveraging her leadership to address critical issues in climate law, including legal strategies to implement the Paris Agreement. Her work bridged academic scholarship with practical policy solutions, aligning global climate ambitions with actionable governance frameworks.
I served as a moderator in one of the discussions, facilitating crucial dialogues among international experts and practitioners, and amplifying the voices of emerging leaders in climate governance.
The discussions at both events were pivotal in translating international commitments into practical, enforceable legal measures. They provided platforms for stakeholders to explore the intersections of law, governance, and sustainability, ensuring that biodiversity and climate goals are integrated into broader economic and social policies. These discussions were crucial for fostering multi-level governance approaches, enhancing legal innovation, and bridging the gap between policy aspirations and real-world impact.
Participating in these events has been a transformative experience, equipping me with the perspectives and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of environmental law, and understand Indigenous rights and the importance of Indigenous communities as stewards of biodiversity conservation and climate action. It also introduced me to several evolving knowledge spectrums and deepened my understanding of biodiversity and climate governance in the field. These experiences not only help me with my research studies but also encourage me to pursue further work in these critical areas. It reinforced my commitment to contributing meaningfully to the development of innovative legal and policy solutions for sustainability.
Smriti Pokhrel, PhD student, UVic Law
Summer Okibe: Climate Law and Governance Day 2024
Summer Okibe is a PhD student in UVic’s Faculty of Law. Her research areas include environmental, sustainability, climate change and Indigenous law.
She shares a few of her takeaways from the 29th Conference of the Parties on climate change in November:
Climate Law and Governance Day 2024 was a transformative experience that underscored the power of law to tackle the world’s most pressing environmental challenges. Held virtually during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the symposium provided a unique platform for lawyers, policymakers, scholars, and practitioners to exchange innovative strategies for addressing climate change. As a student rapporteur, I had the privilege of documenting key discussions and engaging with experts from around the world, witnessing firsthand how international cooperation can inspire legal reforms to operationalize the Paris Agreement and strengthen climate action. The event emphasized scaling national ambition and action while leveraging law to mobilize climate finance, advance justice, and ensure accountability in addressing loss and damage.
One of the most thought-provoking aspects was the focus on climate justice. I learned about the critical role of courts, civil society, and legal associations in holding governments and corporations accountable. The integration of rights-based approaches in climate action was a recurring theme, highlighting the need to ensure vulnerable populations are not left behind. I was particularly moved by the emphasis on legal tools to address climate migration and support communities disproportionately impacted by the climate crisis. These insights deepened my understanding of how the law can serve as a bridge between policy and people, fostering equity and resilience.
Another key takeaway was the potential of law to drive a just transition to a low-carbon economy. Discussions on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance revealed the importance of creating legal frameworks that align public and private investments with climate goals. As a rapporteur, I was struck by the collaborative energy in workshops addressing fossil fuel subsidy reform, sustainable supply chains, and climate risk disclosure. These conversations showcased the versatility of law as a tool not only for environmental protection but also for economic transformation.
Being part of this event allowed me to see the global climate law and governance community in action—uniting expertise, passion, and commitment to address the climate crisis. It was inspiring to know that legal professionals and students alike can play a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future.
Summer Okibe, PhD student, UVic Law