The Climate Change Act of Fiji establishes a comprehensive legal framework for Fiji’s response to climate change and creates requirements and governance arrangements, as well as helps to implement the Paris Agreement. Fiji is the first Small Island Developing State to pass climate legislation inclusive of a net-zero emissions goal and the first globally to set out a legally recognized state-supported process for relocation of at-risk communities. The new law was supported under ADB’s Law and Policy Reform Program. 

Plaintiffs filed an application for stay against the environmental permit granted to the Wafi-Golpu Gold / Copper Mine citing irreparable damages, in the form of likely environmental damages unless the decisions were stayed. The court concluded that based on the arguable case and irreparable damages presented, the balance of convenience favored a grant of stay to avoid possible hardships, inconvenience or prejudice to all parties pending substantive review.

Petitioners filed a case against government officials in Indonesia for their alleged negligence in fulfilling petitioners' right to a good and healthy environment due to lax regulations. The respondents were directed to establish a national ambient air quality standard that is sufficient to protect human health, the environment and ecosystems, and the health of sensitive groups within the populations based on developments in science and technology.

This webinar is the first in a series of four webinars on environmental enforcement and compliance and follows the previous webinar on Environmental Impact Assessment Processes in Southeast Asia. It updates participants on the work of the IAIA Enforcement and Compliance Group and the important work of EIA Consultant Cheryl Wasserman and the IAIA.

The case involves a social action petition to compel the State to invest in climate mitigation strategies. The court took an expansive view of the constitutional right to life to mean a life free from hazards caused by environmental pollution to nurture a healthy and robust life. The court then exercised its supervisory jurisdiction or continuing mandamus, issuing orders in relation to water conservation among others.

The updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) 2021 of Bangladesh targets an unconditional contribution to reduce GHG emissions by 6.73% below Business As Usual (BAU) levels by 2030 and a conditional 15.12% reduction by the same timeframe. It likewise discusses the potential actions to achieve the target reductions.

Samoa's Second Nationally Determined Contribution provides that Samoa aims to reduce its overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26 percent in 2030 compared to 2007 levels (or by 91 Gg CO2e compared to the new reference year once Samoa's GHG emissions inventory has been updated). In terms of adaptation, the National Climate Change Policy 2020 – 2030 provides the framework for both national adaptation and mitigation actions through a whole-of-country approach to build resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of Indonesia reflects the progression beyond the earlier pledge in INDC. Mainly, the national Business as Usual (BAU) scenario used – BAU of NDC is slightly lower than BAU of INDC (from 2.881 GtCO2e in INDC to 2.869 GtCO2e in NDC). Further, there is clarity of sectoral BAU and emission reduction target allocation, and assumption used for BAU projection and target allocation, as well as enhanced targets on adaptation.

Solomon Islands committed to reducing its emissions by 14% below 2915 and 33% below 2015 by 20130 compared to a business as usual projections. In terms of adaptation, Solomon Islands considers it vital and urgent to develop the capacity of the country to assess risks and vulnerabilities associated with climate variability and change and to reduce climate change risks and adapt to the predicted impacts of climate change.

Petitioners are owners of farmlands along the Lake Lanao shore. They contend that their crops were damaged for years due to the National Power Corporation's refusal to open the floodgates of the Agus Regulation Dam which controls the water outflows on Lake Lanao. Ruling in favor of petitioners, the court declared that tort law can be used to address environmental harms.