‘One of the world’s greatest architects has a simple philosophy: “touch the earth lightly”. Yet the burden of 8 billion people is anything but, and our collective impact is profound. The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive brings together an ensemble cast of leading lawyers to share and summarise, with great lucidity, the treaties, statutes, regulations and the common law that apply in the legal environment. By lightening the pressure we bring to bear on our planet, through laws and other measures, we may by degrees improve our atmosphere and the natural world. This fresh, up-to-date book is essential reading for anyone working in this dynamic area of law.’ — Julian Bailey, Partner, Jones Day, and author of 'Construction Law' (4th edition)
‘Controlling climate change and defending the Earth’s ecosystems against the damage which humans are inf licting is now the top priority. Law has a major role in that process. This remarkable book provides a panoptic survey of the relevant legal instruments, both national and international.’ — Sir Rupert Jackson, arbitrator and mediator, formerly judge in charge of the Technology and Construction Court
This book is the first that provides a comprehensive overview of the law of net zero and nature positive. While the book focuses on England and Wales, it also sets out the wider domestic and international context and relevant law, including the principal domestic and European legislation, in particular the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Environment Act 2021, and how legal obligations in respect of net zero and nature positive translate across different sectors of the economy.
The book reflects the fact that climate change is a global phenomenon and that the international legal and policy context give shape to domestic legal obligations.
The book considers biodiversity alongside climate change. This is important because human-induced climate change and biodiversity are inextricably linked. Given this interdependency, and the fact that nature itself is often forgotten, the book aims to bring together the legal obligations in respect of both net zero and nature positive so that practitioners, policy-makers and others interested in this area have both objectives in mind as they seek to address these challenges of our generation.
The book spans areas including the following: planning and the environment, property, environmental protest, public international law, commercial and financial services, fiscal measures and construction. The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive will be an invaluable resource for a wide range of private and public sector actors across the economy including the legal profession (barristers, solicitors, the judiciary, and in-house counsel), the policy sector, non-governmental organizations and academia.
