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ClientEarth Summit 11 - 13 October 2022

Programme

We are delighted to welcome you to ClientEarth’s Summit, bringing together experts, partners and peers to explore new ways of protecting people and the planet. The Summit will be taking place online, all times are in BST. Scroll to find out more about the programme and panellists.

Register here

11 October 2022 - online

12 October 2022 - online

13 October 2022 - online and in-person

Corporate net-zero commitments: PR stunt or part of the solution?

Over the last 18 months, companies have been eager to announce their net-zero commitments. Business evangelists laud the green ambition of corporate leaders, while the cynics say it's just greenwash. Join a wide-ranging panel of experts to explore how credible the claims are, and what might happen if they turn out to be a PR stunt.

Featuring: Clémentine Baldon, Founder of Baldon Avocats; Dr Clemens Kaupa, Assistant Professor at the Vrije Universiet Amsterdam; Emiliya Mychasuk, Climate Editor at the Financial Times; Thomas Day, Analyst at NewClimate Institute; and Maria Petzsch, Climate Lawyer at ClientEarth.

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Plastics on trial: what plastic-related litigation means for business

We look at plastics litigation, from greenwashing allegations against oil majors to claims against consumer goods companies for the harms caused by plastic waste, to see what the future holds for businesses, investors and regulators. An expert panel will discuss the growing legal risks faced by companies involved in the manufacture, use and disposal of plastics.

Featuring: Gloria Ramos, Vice President of Oceana Philippines International; Bethany Davis Noll, Executive Director of the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center at NYU School of Law; Connor Fraser, Napoli Student Fellow at the State Energy and Environmental Impact Center at NYU School of Law; Carroll Muffett, President and CEO of the Center for International Environmental law; Zelda Soriano, Founder of Community Legal Help Philippines; and Rosa Pritchard, Plastics Lawyer at ClientEarth.

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Can your pension really save the planet?

Pensions have been touted as a high impact way for individuals to join the fight against climate change. But what impact can an individual have and how can they do it effectively? In this session, we will delve into how your investments can make a difference, and the pitfalls to avoid.

Featuring: Catherine Howarth, Executive Director at ShareAction; Tony Burdon, CEO of Make My Money Matter; Jakob Thomä, Co-Founder and Principal of The 2° Investing Initiative; and Megan Clay, Climate Finance Lead at ClientEarth.

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The net-zero recession: a new front in climate denial?

Some lobby groups and media outlets have been pushing a narrative that connects net-zero policies and the cost-of-living crisis, in order to slow down climate action. A group of experts will explore the tactics being deployed, the groups behind them, their motives and connections to other political movements in the UK and US.

Featuring: Pilita Clark, Associate Editor at the Financial Times, Adam Bychawski, reporter at openDemocracy; Jennie King, Head of Civic Action and Education at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue; Phoebe Cooke from DeSmog; and Chris Duncan, Global Director of Communications at ClientEarth.

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Corporate and investor roles in natural resources destruction: is the law ready for this?

Until recently, the very idea of corporate or investor liability for the impacts of climate change was inconceivable. But now the financial risks and legal obligations of climate change are increasingly litigated and corporate and investor behaviour is changing. Can the same happen for the destruction of biodiversity and natural resources? Can its risks be translated into financial terms in the same way as carbon? Who exactly is responsible, and what can we expect them to be doing about it? Will the law be able to evolve and drive change in biodiversity loss the same way that it has on climate change?

Featuring: Zaneta Sedilekova, Climate Law Lab; Chris Dodwell, Head of Policy and Advocacy at Impax Asset Management; Helen Bellfield, Global Canopy Policy Director and Trase Deputy Director; Brian Rohan, Regional Head of Programmes for Africa and South America at ClientEarth.

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Building a new generation of lawyers for the planet: hands-on experience from the Philippines

We need to scale up environmental protection, fast. This session explores the vast potential of law schools, not-for-profits and the next generation of lawyers to empower more people to defend the planet. Using successful examples from the Philippines, representatives from charities, lawyers and students will speak from the climate change front lines.

Featuring: John Menguito, Managing Trustee of the Philippine Earth Justice Centre; Letty Thomas, Field Building and Networks Lead at FILE; Caroline Vivar, Law Student at the University of Cebu Office of the Legal Aid; and Joyce Melcar Tan, Asia Climate Lawyer at ClientEarth.

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Pristine nature and clean energy: is there space for both?

Renewable energy is a major tool in the fight against climate change, but does it come at the expense of nature and wildlife? This session explores the conflict between the two and considers how climate and the biodiversity crisis need to be tackled together.

Featuring: Aleksandra Bujaroska, Environmental Expert at the Energy Community Secretariat; Andrey Ralev, Biodiversity Campaigner at CEE Bankwatch Network; Emina Veljović Executive Director Aarhus Resource Center in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and Maja Pravuljac, Legal Expert at ClientEarth.

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The future for fishing, people and the climate

The way we fish today is hampering our ability to limit global temperatures to 1.5C. But it doesn’t have to be that way - a thriving fishing industry can be part of a healthy environment. This panel will discuss fishing’s implications for the climate and how fishing action is climate action.

Featuring: Dr Rashid Sumaila, Professor and Canada Research Chair at the University of British Columbia; Rebecca Hubbard, Programme Director at Our Fish; Tanzin Ferdous, Programmes Administration Assistant at ClientEarth; and Adam Weiss, Regional Director of Programmes, Europe, at ClientEarth.

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Resilience: how to look after yourself during challenging times

Resilience is human beings’ most important survival skill. But how do we stay resilient in the face of constant bad news? And how do we protect our mental health when the climate crisis is just one of many huge challenges we face? This session will look at these questions, and try to answer another – how can we cultivate hope?

Featuring: Dr. Rowan Hooper, Senior Editor at the New Scientist; Tori Tsui, Intersectional climate justice activist, writer, organiser and mental health advocate; Gesche Huebner, Senior Research Associate & Lecturer UCL; and Author Lucy Jones.

The road to COP27

The global context has shifted enormously since the fanfare and promise of COP26, jeopardising the momentum needed to follow through on the promises made. We will assess what progress has been made since November, what needs to happen in the run-up to COP27 and what outcomes we might expect.

Featuring: Ed King of the European Climate Foundation; Anna Åberg, Research Associate at Chatham House; Bob Ward from the London School of Economics; Lina Yassin from the International Institute for Environment and Development; and Laura Clarke, CEO at ClientEarth.

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Using the law to protect our land: building Indigenous and community power to stop climate change

Indigenous and community rights defenders will share their experience of protecting their lands from logging and climate change and discuss with ClientEarth lawyers how they use the law to defend human rights locally and on a global scale.

Featuring: Saye Thompson,  President of the National Union of Community Forest Management Bodies in Liberia; Joan Carling, Global Director of Indigenous Peoples Rights International; Daniel Billy, Organiser at 350.org Australia; and Caroline Haywood, Africa Forest Governance and Trade Lead at ClientEarth.

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Sustainable farming and food in Europe

Europe faces many threats to its food system, from war in Ukraine to pesticides and diverging UK and EU laws after Brexit. We will look at how law can create food systems that are good for people and good for the planet.

Featuring: Kath Dalmeny, Chief Executive of Sustain; Martin Lines, UK Chair of Nature Friendly Farming; Helena Horton, Journalist at the Guardian; Rosalind Carter, Programme Officer and Researcher at ClientEarth; and Sarah Martin, Agriculture Legal Expert at ClientEarth.

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Impactful youth: how can we be the change we want to see

The panel looks at how young people from all over the world can best use their unique skills and experiences to contribute towards a better future. It’ll be a free flowing discussion, but we expect to touch on areas such as career choice, advocacy, volunteering, innovation, the arts and others to discuss how an individual can lead a fulfilling and impactful life.

Featuring: Caitlin Wale, Manager at Counteract; Reagan Thestatesman, Political and Climate Justice Activist; Abigael Kiprono Kima, Host and Producer Hali-Hewa Podcast; and Aliza Ayaz, Climate Activist.

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POP culture: People of Power

We hear a lot about how art can change minds. We know many creative industries are trying to make their work life more environmentally sustainable. We see musicians are increasingly using their social media following to talk about climate change. But how do creative industries actually go about influencing public opinion and changing policy? In this discussion we will have a stellar cast discussing their experience of change-making through their work. Musician and clean air campaigner Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka and Amy Shepherd COO of production company Think-Impact Productions, the team maximising the impact on the film, The Territory are joined by Alex Wijeratna, campaigner from Mighty Earth the influential environmental advocacy group.

Featuring: Musician and clean air campaigner Ssegawa-Ssekintu Kiwanuka; Amy Shepherd, COO of production company Think-Impact Productions; and Alex Wijeratna, campaigner from Mighty Earth

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From everyone at ClientEarth, thank you for joining us.

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