Quick Teleconference
Friday, May 16, 2008
12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. Eastern Time / 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. Central Time
10:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Mountain Time / 9:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Pacific Time

Businesses and other organizations face significant legal and business risks associated with the effects of climate change. This program will address both the business and legal risks that arise because of climate change issues and opportunities and strategies to address those risks. Speakers will address the various legal claims that have been brought regarding climate change issues. (more)

Welcome to the Homepage for the International Environmental Law Committee. The Committee is a leading forum for practitioners and others who are interested in legal and policy issues related to international environmental law. Our membership includes lawyers who advise governments, non-governmental organizations, associations, and companies of all sizes on the full spectrum of issues in the international environmental milieu; many academics and students are also among our members. The Committee’s 2007-2008 leadership (names, responsibilities, and contact information are displayed in the column to the right) encourages active involvement by our expanding membership in the Committee’s newsletter, programs, and public service projects.

Some of the legal issues that the Committee will consider this year include:

• Sustainable development
• Global climate change
• Freshwater scarcity
• Environmental and social responsibility reporting
• International regulation of chemicals and biotechnology
• Extended producer responsibility or product stewardship

I urge you to join the Committee and become an active participant.

Best regards,
Jane C. Luxton

Each Committee is to identify the substantive and practice issues within its purview that it wishes to develop for the Section's members and then prepare a plan for addressing those issues.

Download the International Environmental Law Committee Action Plan

The International Environmental Law Committee is once again co-sponsoring the Stetson University College of Law International Environmental Moot Court Competition. We encourage Committee members to consider serving as memorial or oral round judges.

Last year more than 60 teams worldwide participated. This year teams are required to submit their memorials (briefs) by October 17. As in the past, there is a word limit, and the memorials are typically 25 pages in length. Stetson will FedEx (or email) to memorial judges a copy of the problem and eight to twelve memorials to grade. It is not necessary for judges to provide any written comments, and judges will receive a grading sheet that explains the scoring process. We also will provide judges with an outline of the issues that each memorial should address. The scores are due Monday, November 6, by email or fax.

This year's problem involves climate change, coral reefs, and a trade dispute. If you would like to review the problem, it is available at http://www.law.stetson.edu/environmental/ — click on "Record." You may also go to http://www.law.stetson.edu, click on "International Programs" and then click on "International Environmental Law Moot Court Competition." Please let me know if you are interested in serving as a memorial judge.

The oral rounds will be held in Tampa, Florida, November 8-9 (International Qualifying Rounds) and in Gulfport/St. Petersburg, Florida, November 10-11 (International Finals). If you will be in the area and would like to judge one of the oral rounds, we would welcome your participation!

For more information, contact:

Royal C. Gardner, Professor of Law and Director
Institute for Biodiversity Law and Policy, Stetson University College of Law
gardner@law.stetson.edu
http://www.law.stetson.edu/international/biodiversity/

"International environmental law's importance cannot be underestimated for it involves, quite literally, the fate of future generations and that of the earth." Hunter, Salzman & Zaelke, International Environmental Law and Policy (2002).

International environmental law is unique in the legal arena for its impact across different policies, borders and generations. Coupled with the broad array of environmental problems that the world community is beginning to address, from climate change to fisheries to chemicals policy, international environmental law is an incredibly dynamic and expanding field of law. This young, complex and important body of law is the focus of the Committee.

The Committee brings together attorneys from across the United States and around the world to better understand international environmental law. Our members include lawyers in solo practice, small and large private law firms, corporations, government, and non-governmental organizations, as well as faculty from schools of law on several continents. The primary objective of the Committee is to provide members with the tools and resources to enhance their practice or research, such as by this internet site, conferences, and a newsletter published periodically. The Committee also endeavors to provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and experiences.

The Committee concentrates on the following subjects, with varying intensity depending upon developments and member interest:

• International Environmental Lawmaking.
• Principles and Concepts Shaping International Environmental Law.
• Multilateral Institutions and International Environmental Law.
• Role of Technology and Science in International Environmental Law.
• Compliance and Dispute Resolution Practices Toward More Effective International Environmental Law.
• International Environmental Protection. This area would address the numerous issues associated with media and natural-resource specific international legal regimes.
  • Air and Atmospheric Pollution Law.
  • Hazardous Waste and Materials Law.
  • Freshwater Resources Law.
  • Marine Resources Law.
  • Biodiversity and Wildlife Law.
  • Habitat Protection Law.
  • Mineral and Energy Resources Law.
• Interplay Between International Environmental Law and Other Legal Regimes or Policy Debates. Key topics would include the following.
  • Development and the Environment.
  • Occupational Health and Safety and the Environment.
  • Trade and the Environment.
  • Human Rights and the Environment.
  • National Security, War, and Environmental Protection.
• Regional and Comparative Environmental Law.
• International Environmental Issues of Particular Concern to the Regulated Community and Other Stakeholders. This area would cover a wide and changing number of international environmental law topics of concern to business, citizen groups, government regulators, and other stakeholders.
  • Clean Production.
  • Environmental Reporting.
  • Extraterritorial Application of United States Environmental Law.
  • Product Stewardship.
  • Public Participation and Transparency in the Environmental Lawmaking Process.
  • Resource Scarcity.
• The Practice of International Environmental Law.
• International Environmental Law Research.

Become a member of this Committee.
If you are a member of the Section of Environment, Energy and Resources of the American Bar Association, you can become a member of the Committee on International Environmental Law at no cost. If you are not a member of the Section of Environment Energy and Resources, and you are already a member of the American Bar Association, you may join online. If you are not a member of the American Bar Association, you may also join online.

To join the Committee on International Environmental Law, please click here. Once we receive your committee preference form, you will be contacted and receive a copy of the International Environmental Committee Newsletter. You will also be advised of upcoming Committee activities.

International Environmental Law Committee Membership vice chair:
Thomas P Redick.

Chair:
Jane C. Luxton

Vice Chairs:
Committee Newsletters
James W. Rubin

Membership
Thomas P. Redick

Programs
Carlos Fernandez

Public Service
Teresa Maurea Faria

Technology
John F. Spinello, Jr.

The Year in Review
Lakshman Guruswamy

Additional
David Hunter

Vail T. Thorne

Kenneth von Schaumburg

Additional (Programs and Membership)
William L. Thomas