The world is facing existential threats of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. In the face of this triple planetary crisis, climate and environmental rule of law is fundamental to inclusive and sustainable development. Legal frameworks need to be modernized to tackle 21st century challenges including by improving the scientific soundness and technical adequacy of laws and reflecting appropriate governance arrangements that take into account multiple stakeholders. Furthermore, the implementation and enforcement of laws need to be strengthened through capacity building programs.
Our Impact
ADB's Law and Policy Reform Program has been prioritizing its work with legal and judicial systems and other stakeholders to help support low carbon transition, promote and invest in nature and environmental sustainability, and increase disaster resilience. We do this by:
Mobilizing Finance for Climate and Nature-Positive Investments
- Addressing legal barriers to attracting private finance to tackle climate change and support nature-positive investments
- Increasing the capacity of the private sector on climate and nature risks and opportunities
- Increasing knowledge about different types of sustainable finance instruments and carbon markets
- Assisting with drafting national legal and regulatory framework for carbon markets
- Development of a model forest act to serve as a legal blueprint for policymakers, legislators, and other stakeholders in the design or updating of national forest laws
Strengthening Climate and Environmental Legal Education
- Mainstreaming climate change and environmental legal education at the national and institutional levels across Asia and the Pacific
- Developing model syllabi and innovative teaching methodologies for teaching climate change and environmental laws
- Strengthening the capacity and networks of climate and environmental legal educators and institutions
- Producing e-learning courses and supporting hybrid and online education
- Building the next generation of leaders and workforce to support the green economy
Drafting Transformative Climate Change and Disaster Management Laws
- Framework climate change law applying to the whole of economy and providing clear policy direction and net zero targets and setting out clear governance arrangements
- Disaster management law setting out coordination mechanisms among national and sub-national entities involved in disaster response and recovery efforts
- Sectoral laws and regulations, for example, in energy, transportation and building
Supporting Green Courts and Benches and Judicial Networks
- Establishing and operationalizing green courts and benches and drafting environmental rules of procedures
- Creating judicial certification programs on climate change and environmental laws
- Supporting the Asia and the Pacific Judges Network on the Environment and Global Judicial Institute on the Environment
"If you want to change mindsets, you have to start with the law students, the science students, because they will become politicians someday, they will become officials of government. This [Developing Climate and Environmental Law Champions] technical assistance program is critical."
Gerthie Mayo-Anda
Executive Director, Environmental Legal Assistance Center
"As the first publication of its kind, with a focus on judges...I offer my effusive congratulations to ADB’s extraordinary team and the distinguished co-authors of this innovative report series."
Honorable Chief Justice Antonio Herman Benjamin, National High Court of Brazil (STJ) and President of the Federal Justice Council; President of the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment
Environment and Climate Change Law Judicial Training in Cambodia Phnom Penh, Cambodia, September 2023
LPR In Action
Knowledge Resources
Regional Symposium on Forest and Protected Areas Legislation and Jurisprudence: Bridging Law and Science Post-Symposium Booklet
This Post-Symposium Booklet is based on the proceedings of the Regional Symposium on Forest and Protected Areas Legislation and Jurisprudence: Bridging Law and Science, held in Kathmandu, Nepal, from 27–29 April 2023.
ADB Explores Emerging Climate Change Risks with Global Experts
Global experts discussed regulatory developments, climate-related disclosure, board of directors' duties and liabilities and climate litigation, and identified risk assessment tools.
Climate Change, Coming Soon to a Court Near You: Climate Litigation in Asia and the Pacific and Beyond
Report 2 contains a comprehensive review of the growing number and variety of climate lawsuits in Asia and the Pacific. It underscores the unique flavor and voice of regional jurisprudence and compares it with global approaches.