Legal and Judicial Experts Explore Ways to Strengthen Environmental Protection and Address Climate Change at COP29 Side Events Organized by ADB OGC’s Law and Policy Reform Program
On 11 November 2024, parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) gathered for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 29) in Baku, Azerbaijan. ADB’s Law and Policy Reform Program, with its long track record of strengthening environmental law and of supporting the implementation of the Paris Agreement and other COP-driven initiatives to address the triple planetary crisis, co-organized several key side events focused on climate change, forest conservation, and judicial action.
Solving the Forest Finance Puzzle
On 14 November, ADB, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration of the People’s Republic of China, and the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition organized the "Solving the Forest Finance Puzzle in the Paris Agreement Era" Forest Pavilion side event. Representatives from international financial institutions, including ADB’s Climate Change Director Noelle O'Brien and General Counsel Thomas M. Clark, together with government officials, private sector leaders, civil society members, and other stakeholders collaborated on understanding the essential pieces to attracting forest finance and identifying actionable steps to stimulate urgent action to bridge the significant forest finance gap essential to tackling the triple planetary crisis.
Photos: Solving the Puzzle: Forest Finance in Action
Strengthening Forest Governance with the Model Forest Act Initiative
On 15 November, ADB, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment (GJIE), the World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the International Council of Environmental Law (ICEL) organized the “The Model Forest Act Initiative (MoFAI): A Global Partnership to Improve the Legal Protection of Forests” Forest Pavilion side event. Legal experts, including General Counsel Clark, policymakers, and justices from different regions discussed how the MoFAI can support countries in strengthening forest laws to tackle 21st century challenges such as climate and biodiversity crisis. Judges from different regions also shared their experiences on enforcing forest laws and overcoming implementation challenges.
Judicial Action on Climate Change
On 16 November, the GJIE, in partnership with ADB, UNEP, the EU Forum of Judges for the Environment (EUFJE), Brazil, ICEL, and WCEL, organized the official COP29 side event "Climate Change and Courts: Judicial Perspectives on Climate Litigation" and an event at the Azerbaijan Supreme Court on "Pollution, Nature, and Water: A Global Dialogue Among Judges". General Counsel Clark, senior judges, legislators, and other participants highlighted the important role of national courts in adjudicating the growing number of climate disputes. The events facilitated peer-to-peer exchanges between senior justices and experts on emerging norms and practical approaches to overcoming challenges faced by the judiciary in resolving climate disputes.
Photos: Climate Change and Courts: Judicial Perspectives on Climate Litigation | In Action
Through these events, ADB demonstrated its commitment to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. By fostering international cooperation and sharing knowledge, ADB aims to inspire action and drive positive change to address and eliminate the existential threats posed by climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
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