Lowell Bower, P.Eng.’s Post

Environmental Defence Society (EDS) consistently offer well-informed, calculated analysis and views in regard to our environment within the context of RM reforms. Another useful read shared here.

Parliament is expected to pass the Fast-Track Approvals Bill into law this week. EDS CEO Gary Taylor addresses this in our latest media release:   “The Bill retains several significant flaws that collectively mean that if enacted in its present form would make it the worst environmental legislation in our history” “If the clause was amended to give equal weight to the environment or to require approvals to be consistent with sustainable management, that would be a very significant improvement.” Read the full media release for more information through the link below: https://lnkd.in/efcbfMvN 

Environmental Due Diligence Next Steps under the EU CSDDD The rubber is starting to hit the road as we get into the crucial transposition phase of the EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). The road to clarity starts now! 🚀 Here are 3 takeaways from the report by ClientEarth's Amandine Van Den Berghe, Quentin Mautray, Francesca Peretti and Frank Bold's Julia Otten and Daniel Torán Saltó ⬇️ 🔍 Governments have the chance to go beyond the directive, enhancing predictability and aligning it with other legislation ⛓️ A full value chain focus is essential to bridge the gaps between requirements in the CSDDD and CSRD/ SFDR 🌿 The environmental & human rights interconnection is crystal clear. The directive highlights how environmental degradation can impact human rights. But companies will need clear definitions to minimise legal uncertainties Read our summary here: https://lnkd.in/er7Y6uaY #Sustainability #CSDDD #CorporateResponsibility #EnvironmentalLaw #HumanRights #DueDiligence

💡 Much of the attention given to the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (#CS3D) so far has focused on the “pure” human rights aspects of CS3D. 💡 In our latest briefing, the Mayer Brown team shines a light on the obligations in CS3D to identify and manage environmental and climate change risks. 💡 Not all environmental matters are subject to the full force of the CS3D’s due diligence requirements: in fact, the legislation is specific about sources of environmental law that apply. 👇 Read on for perspectives from the Mayer Brown team: Tim Baines Luiz Gustavo Bezerra Sam Eastwood James Ford Dylan Geraets Edouard Gergondet Teresa Gerhold-Kempf Michael Hutchinson Sydney Mintzer Johannes Weichbrodt https://lnkd.in/e3jZK2JU #sustainability #environment #climatechange #bizhumanrights

🌍 Countries should work together to protect, conserve and restore the planet. In international law, this is called the principle of cooperation. ➡ What is the principle of cooperation? The principle of cooperation is recognized as a fundamental principle of international environmental law. Formally established for the first time in the Stockholm Declaration in 1972, it proposes that States deal with international matters concerning the protection and improvement of the environment in a co-operative spirit by all countries, on an equal footing.  ➡ What does cooperation look like? Cooperation involves several key actions: * Preventing Environmental Harm: Countries must ensure their activities do not cause environmental damage to neighboring states. * Sharing Information: Nations should exchange environmental data to foster transparency and collective action. * Joint Efforts: collaborative investigation, identification, and mitigation of environmental threats. ➡ Why does it matter? Environmental challenges are inherently global and cannot be tackled by any single nation. Collective efforts are required to achieve common environmental goals, such as those outlined in the Paris Agreement. ➡ Why share this content? Raising awareness about green rights and sustainable development is vital. By sharing this content, you contribute to a broader understanding and support for environmental protection. 🌱 Join us in our mission to protect our planet by promoting Green Rights. Your support can make a significant difference. #GreenRights #SDGs #ClimateAction #SustainableDevelopment #Sustainability #ClimateChange #RenewableEnergy #EnvironmentalProtection #EcoFriendly #CircularEconomy #CarbonFootprint #ClimateCrisis #SustainableLiving

🌍 World Environment Day 🌱 As we observe World Environment Day, it's essential to reflect on the critical role that law plays in protecting our planet. As a law student passionate about environmental issues, I see firsthand how legal frameworks can drive positive change. One of the significant recent developments is the push for stronger regulations to combat climate change. The recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) highlighted the urgent need for countries to implement and enforce more stringent carbon reduction commitments. This has spurred new legislation in various jurisdictions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting renewable energy. In the United States, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at addressing climate change through substantial investments in clean energy. This act represents a shift towards more aggressive climate action at the federal level, setting a precedent for future environmental policies. On a judicial level, courts worldwide are increasingly recognizing the urgency of environmental protection. The recent ruling by the Dutch Supreme Court in the Urgenda Foundation v. State of the Netherlands case is a prime example. The court ordered the Dutch government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 25% by the end of 2020, setting a powerful legal precedent for climate litigation globally. In addition to these legislative and judicial actions, there is a growing movement towards recognizing the rights of nature. Countries like Ecuador and New Zealand have granted legal personhood to rivers and forests, acknowledging that nature itself has rights that need protection. These developments underscore the importance of robust legal frameworks in addressing environmental issues. On this World Environment Day, let's commit to using our legal expertise to support and enforce environmental protection measures. Together, we can make a significant impact on the health of our planet. #WorldEnvironmentDay #EnvironmentalLaw #Sustainability #ClimateChange #LegalDevelopments

Major concessions in a proposed new wave of environmental reforms have been flagged by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in a newspaper interview today in the West Australian. There's been enormous pressure on the future of Australia's environmental laws, due to the uncertainty around decision making around a number of major projects. The most significant changes announced: 🌳 The new, flagship National Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will become a "compliance only" watchdog, tasked with policing the current EPBC Act, and reportedly will not consider development assessments 🌳 The third tranche of the new Nature Positive Laws -- an overhaul of the environmental approvals rules -- would not be put to Parliament before the election as it was "too busy" It's understood that establishment of the first ever National EPA that will reportedly have a budget of around $700m is seen as an absolute priority, and an important legacy for Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek. There is concern that if the EPA is not passed ahead of an election, a more radical version could emerge from negotiations over a potential minority government following the Federal Election where the Greens held the balance of power. However there will inevitably be concern that the Albanese Government is walking away from the opportunity to pass wide-ranging reforms of national environmental laws. While there is heightened concern about arbitrary ministerial decision-making that have blocked projects in the current environmental laws, business has also feared that strict new environmental laws including so-called "climate triggers" could derail new projects, including renewable developments, in an already slowing economy. While the Senate Crossbench and the Greens are already crying foul that there's been a backdown, the Federal Government hopes the flagged changes will put pressure on the Opposition to pass a bill to establish a National EPA to give business and project planning more certainty. There will be a strong push to pass this legislation by the end of year, with Tanya Plibersek comparing the Greens opposition to the new environment agency akin to their failure to pass the Rudd Government’s emissions trading scheme. #EnvironmentalLawConcessions #NationalEPA

🍃 Is keeping up with environmental legislation and numerous complex amendments becoming a challenge? You’re in the right place! Whether you’re looking to save significant time trawling through legislation or want to step away from managing your environmental registers entirely, we can tailor our solution to fit your requirements. ❓ Did you know we have three different services specifically designed to tackle the challenges of environmental legislation for you? ⚖️ Barbour Comprehensive An authoritative library of regulatory information, guidance, British and Irish standards, trade association publications and ready-to-use tools. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/exigYWDi ⚖️ Barbour Consolidated  We provide legislation with the most recent changes wrapped into one document, including all historic amendments and revocations. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eGa_39hZ ⚖️ Barbour Consultancy  Our specialist Consultancy team will build your bespoke legal register or aspects, and impacts register for you – And with our Managed Updates service, we can keep them updated for you, too. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e6tT-S9X   #Environment #EnvironmentalLaw #LegalUpdate #Consultancy #LegalRegister #Consultants #Legislation #Sustainability #SustainableFuture #BusinessLaw

The UK Supreme Court's landmark ruling on environmental impact assessments (EIAs) has sent shockwaves through the development industry. ⚡ Developers can no longer ignore the downstream greenhouse gas emissions of their projects. This means a more comprehensive approach to EIAs, incorporating a wider range of environmental impacts. Our Commercial Property Solicitors in Coventry are here to guide businesses through these complex changes. Want to understand the implications of this ruling for your development plans? Read our latest blog: https://lnkd.in/eYSShQtc #climatechange #planningpermission #EIA #environment #sustainability #commercialproperty #law #coventry

My partner Sarah Slack is quoted in “Wisconsin Legal Trends 2024” offering insight on environmental legal trends. Slack touched on several newly enacted state laws, including California’s Voluntary Carbon Market Disclosure Act, the much-anticipated finalization of the SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rules, and the rise in greenwashing lawsuits, demonstrating how the focus for companies looking to make claims about their GHG-emission-reduction efforts will be on transparency and accountability. #Energy #ESG #EnvironmentalLaw #sarahslack