More than half of the world’s population reside in the Asia-Pacific region, and it is projected that 41% of the world’s energy usage in 2040 will stem from this region. As such, it is crucial that mitigation strategies addressing the world’s climate crisis focus on Asia-Pacific nations, and practices adopted by their populations.
Indeed, achieving sustainable development goals related to energy consumption and carbon emissions requires significant shifts in consumer behaviour and lifestyles. While this is a multifaceted problem, policy development and regulatory support will play a significant role. Seeking to better understand the influence of law and governance on climate action is the Director of the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law, Associate Professor Jolene Lin.
Assoc Prof Lin’s main areas of expertise are climate change law and transnational environmental law. Together with other authors, she has published a book titled “Climate Change Litigation in the Asia Pacific”, which is the first scholarly examination of climate change litigation in the Asia Pacific region. This book brings together legal academics and lawyers from around the world to achieve a comprehensive understanding of how litigation can hasten the pace of climate action in Asia Pacific countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia and China.
Assoc Prof Lin and her team have also analysed greenhouse gas emission strategies proposed by International Maritime Organization (IMO), including National Action Plans (NAPs), market-based mechanisms (MBMs) and the adoption of alternative fuels for the shipping industry. Her findings indicate that true decarbonisation in the maritime sector can only be achieved with zerocarbon fuels, such as hydrogen fuels. Furthermore, the team also observed that private sectors tend to shift their resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions after better understanding climate-related financial risks and opportunities. This can give insights into how policies can be implemented to steer private sectors towards achieving IMO goals.
Commentary on climate change litigation in ASEAN countries by Associate Professor Jolene Lin
First scholarly examination of climate change litigation in the Asia Pacific region: an intellectual tour de force of more than 10 jurisdictions’ approaches to climate change litigation and governance
Opinion piece by Associate Professor Jolene Lin on greenhouse gas emissions reduction efforts by global shipping sector and challenges ahead
Garcia, B., Foerster, A., & Lin, J. (2021). Net zero for the international shipping sector? An Analysis of the Implementation and Regulatory Challenges of the IMO Strategy on Reduction of GHG Emissions. Journal of Environmental Law, 33 (1), 85-112.
Lin, J., & Kysar, D. A. (Eds.). (2020). Climate Change Litigation in the Asia Pacific. Cambridge University Press.
Peel, J., & Lin, J. (2019). Transnational climate litigation: The contribution of the global south. American Journal of International Law, 113 (4), 679-726.
Lin, J. (2018). Global Cities, climate change, and transnational lawmaking. Governing Climate Change, 1–20.
Streck, C., & Lin, J. (2008). Making markets work: a review of CDM performance and the need for reform. European Journal of International Law, 19 (2), 409-442.
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