ACCEL Distinguished Speaker Address and Panel Discussions: Legal accelerants for climate action: taking stock for COP28

In-person event

Climate action is more urgent than ever. The concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has reached its highest point in at least two million years, and climate change is causing widespread, and unequal, adverse impacts on nature and people (IPCC, 2023) . In order to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and prevent the worst impacts, developed countries must reach net zero by 2040, and emerging economies by 2050. Despite this, current policies will lead to a 2.8°C temperature rise by 2100. In a time when we should be accelerating our efforts, we backslide. 

In November, leaders will gather at COP28 for the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement. The process for preparing the next cycle of Nationally Determined Contributions will also be launched. 

This event will bring together leading researchers and professionals ahead of the COP to provide insights on how to conceptualise, develop and implement legal and governance tools to accelerate deep decarbonisation, adaptation and address loss and damage, on a whole of economy basis. Against the backdrop of the UN’s 2023 Acceleration Agenda, experts will discuss the various dimensions of legal acceleration to ensure a more equitable transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient global economy.

The 2023 ACCEL Distinguished Address will be delivered by Dr Ian Fry, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change. Dr Fry will discuss important human rights and justice dimensions of the UN’s Acceleration Agenda, including the need to integrate human rights standards and principles into accelerated climate action. 

The Distinguished Address will be supported by a series of panels in which leading experts will discuss the role and potential of legal accelerants in the context of climate finance, climate litigation, law and nature and the law of the sea. Speakers include Frances Anggadi (University of Wollongong), David Barnden (Equity Generation Lawyers), Gareth Bryant (University of Sydney), Zoe Bush (Environmental Defenders Office), Emma Carmody (Restore Blue), Arjuna Dibley (Sustainable Finance Hub, University of Melbourne), Dominique Hogan-Doran SC (5 Wentworth), Tim Stephens (University of Sydney), Zoe Whitton (Pollination) and Rachel Walmsley (Environmental Defenders’ Office).

Draft schedule

8.30am Registration

9.00am: Welcome and opening remarks

9.15am: Legal acceleration and the role of climate litigation

Speakers: Dominique Hogan-Doran SC (5 Wentworth), David Barnden (Equity Generation Lawyers) and Zoe Bush (Environmental Defenders Office)

10.30am: Morning tea

11am Climate finance and accelerated climate action

Speakers: Arjuna Dibley (Sustainable Finance Hub, University of Melbourne), Gareth Bryant (University of Sydney) and Kate Owens (ACCEL)

12.30pm Lunch

1.30pm  Nature restoration and the acceleration agenda

Speakers: Gerry Bates (University of Sydney), Emma Carmody (Restore Blue), Rachel Walmsley (Environmental Defenders’ Office), Rachel Killean (Chair, University of Sydney)

3.00pm Afternoon tea

3.30pm Climate change and the Law of the Sea

Speakers: Ian Fry (Special Rapporteur), Tim Stephens (University of Sydney),  Frances Anggadi (University of Wollongong) and Chester Brown (Chair, University of Sydney)  

5.00pm Cocktail reception

5.30pm 2023 ACCEL Distinguished Speaker Address: Human rights, climate justice and the UN Acceleration Agenda

Registration – now open

• Full day: $100
• Panel Discussions only: $70
• 2023 ACCEL Distinguished Speaker Address: $40

Student rates

• Full day: $50
• Panel Discussions only: $35
• 2023 ACCEL Distinguished Speaker Address: $20

Tuesday 31 October 2023

Venue: Law Lounge, Level 1, New Law Building Annex (F10A)

This event is hosted by the Australian Centre for Climate and Environmental Law (ACCEL) at Sydney Law School.