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Opening Event ClimLaw:Graz Research Center

Opening Symposium June 17th 2020

ClimLaw: Graz, the new Research Center for Climate Law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Graz was officially opened on 17 June 2020 with an online symposium.

More than 80 scientists, including renowned climate researchers, as well as representatives from practice took part in the event. Thanks to the online format, it became possible for international colleagues, especially many legal experts from China, USA, South Africa and Europe, to participate in the symposium despite the Covid-19 travel restrictions. All international and national speakers and participants were welcomed by Prof. Dr. Martin Polaschek (Video), Rector of the University of Graz, Prof. Dr. Christoph Bezemek (Video), Dean of the Faculty of Law, and Prof. Dr. Eva Schulev-Steindl (Video), Head of the new research center.

 

Academic program

The first part of the symposium was held in English and focused on international climate law. In the opening keynote "Climate Law: A New Dawn" Prof. Dr. Jaap Spier (University of Cambridge, UK) outlined the significance and scope of climate law, emphasizing the increasing role of courts worldwide as a motor for achieving the Paris climate goals (Video). Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Oliver Ruppel (Stellenbosch University, South Africa) in his keynote speech on „Climate Law and Climate Science: Joint Enabler for a new Climate Enlightenment?“ underlined the importance of evidence-based climate research for climate law (Video). He highlighted the need for cooperation between (natural) science and law on the problem of causality, a key issue for climate lawsuits, and referred in this context to promising approaches from climate attribution research. Thus, he also addressed the basic intention of ClimLaw: Graz, which is committed to inter- and transdisciplinary research on climate change.After a first stimulating discussion Prof. Schulev-Steindl outlined the goals and tasks of ClimLaw: Graz and introduced the members of the Scientific-Advisory- and Stakeholder-Board. Afterwards, the team members of the center presented themselves and gave an insight into their current research.

In the second part of the symposium, held in German, Prof. Dr. Ferdinand Kerschner (JKU Linz) addressed the legal implications of state objectives in general and their highly controversial impact on environmental and climate law in particular with his keynote “Against the Taming of the Crazies - On the State Objective Climate Protection” (Video). He emphatically pleaded for a stronger focus on climate protection in all three state powers' actions.A panel discussion with renowned participants on the topic of “Fundamental Right to Climate Protection, CO2-Budget and Climate Court of Audit: Pros and Cons” concluded the symposium: Moderated by Prof. Schulev-Steindl, Katharina Rogenhofer MSc, RA Mag. Michaela Krömer LL.M, Prof. Dr. Gottfried Kirchengast, Mag. Miriam Hofer and Prof. Dr. Wilhelm Bergthaler debated on possibilities for strengthening climate protection in the legal system. Among other things, they discussed whether a basic right to climate protection and a greenhouse gas budget should be anchored in the constitution, as is demanded by the Austrian referendum on climate protection (Video).

Résumé

The symposium laid a good foundation for the new research center ClimLaw: Graz and offered participants an insight into the scope of its activities as well as the current challenges of climate law. Despite, or perhaps because of the online format, numerous new contacts between researchers from all over the world could be established. – May this lead to a fruitful, international and interdisciplinary cooperation that can contribute to solving the urgent problems of climate crisis!

 

Contact

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