The Policy Clinic demonstrates that legal tools make a significant contribution to achieving sustainability goals.
By Mr John Stevenson (Senior Communications Officer), Published
The City Law School’s Environmental Law Pro Bono Policy Clinic (ELPBPC) represented City, University of London at the virtual London Student Sustainability Conference, held on February 24th 2022.
Jack Palmer, studying on the Bar Vocational Studies (BVS) programme, spoke on behalf of the Policy Clinic at the conference, addressing the topic, “Global Goals Meet Local Responsibility – Climate Emergency Declarations and the (In)Action taken by London Boroughs”.
Based on the achievements and outcomes of the work undertaken by the Policy Clinic over the course of the last year, the presentation was aimed at holding local public authorities to account in respect of any action taken after having made a Climate Emergency Declaration (CED).
According to Maja Berger, one of the Policy Clinic’s volunteers studying on the Legal Practice Course (LPC):
“The Policy Clinic spent several months as part of a national undertaking devised and developed by the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF), researching the plans and results attained by London boroughs in fulfilling promises made under their Climate Emergency Declarations. In 2022 the Clinic’s research will focus on green decision-making and community involvement and their alignment with COP26 outcomes. We will then use our rights under the Environmental Information Regulations to request information on any of the gaps identified.”
Created by City, University of London to provide an opportunity for students from across London to share their sustainability research and extra-curricular projects, the London Student Sustainability Conference is now in its fourth year.
In 2022, the conference saw significant expansion through its collaboration with five partner universities: Imperial College London, King’s College London, The London School of Economics and Political Science, University College London and University of Westminster.
For more information on the Policy Clinic’s 34-page Climate Emergency Declaration Research Report, please visit this weblink.