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I N T RO D U C T I O N

 Today’s youth will become tomorrow’s leaders and as their form of guidance, we
are responsible for providing them with educational experiences to make
knowledgeable decisions regarding the environment.

 Many believe that environmental education is one of the most important factors
for preventing environmental problems.

 To make formative decisions, youth must not only become experts on the subject
but also develop a connection to the environment..
• Access to Expertise and Knowledge - Access to the expertise of seasoned
environmental law professors enhanced their understanding of complex
legal and environmental issues.
• Policy Development and Advocacy - Youth can engage in the development
and review of environmental policies, offering fresh perspectives and
innovative solutions, and can effectively campaign for environmental
issues.
• Research and Innovation - Youth can contribute to scholarly work and
propose innovative solutions to environmental challenges.
• Networking and Mentorship - Interaction with professionals and academics
in the field helps youth build valuable networks
• Civic Engagement- Engagement in local environmental projects fosters a
sense of responsibility and civic duty among youth.
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INTERNATIONAL COURSES ON ENVIRONMENTAL
LAWS

 Course in International Environment Law by University of London

 Legal implications of certain environmental actions in the context
of International Environmental Law.

 E – Course on Environmental Law by UNITAR

 Where student will know about the importance of Multilateral Environmental
Agreements (MEAs) for tackling tackling cross-border environmental issues.
 Highlights the crucial link between these fields and their reliance on the 2030
Agenda.
 z INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES ON
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL

RESOURCES LAW, 2024 IN BALI, INDONESIA

 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICES, 2024

 International Conference on Environmental Science and Biotechnology, on

06th Jul 2024 at Birmingham, UK

 International Conference on Chemical, Agricultural, Biological, Environment

and Life Science , on 06th Jul 2024 at Phuket, Thailand
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HOW CAN YOUTH HELP

 Young Eco-Club program by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change are
commendable steps in this direction.

 ‘Fridays for Future’ and ‘Safai Sulabh Sangathan’ further fuels the fire of youth-driven environmental
action.

 Unlike Youth Parliament, initiatives like the Climate Parliament of India demonstrate the potential of
youth-led policy dialogues in shaping a sustainable future.

Anecdote -
 Afroz Shah, a teenager from Mumbai, transformed a garbage dump into a lush green haven.
 Arunav K. M. established a student-led organization collecting plastic waste to make eco-friendly bricks.
 In Assam, the Green Brigade, a youth-led movement, is combating deforestation and promoting
sustainable livelihoods.
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ORGANISATIONS HELPING YOUTH

 Young Champions of the Earth is the flagship youth engagement initiative of the United
Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

 The Green Jobs for Youth Pact is a Stockholm+50 legacy initiative bringing together the
combined strengths of three UN agencies, International Labour Organization (ILO), the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the United Nations Children’s
Fund (UNICEF) to tackle the green skills deficit and advance the just transition to a low
carbon and circular economy.

 The 17th COY - COY17 - in Sharm El-Sheikh saw over 1,000 young people from more than
140 nations gather during the COP27 Youth and Future Generation Day, where they
presented the Global Youth Statement.
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INITIATIVES BY INDIA

 During 2021-22, the Environment and Climate Change Department of the Government of
Maharashtra instituted several young experts as ‘Climate Fellows’ to work on themes like
waste management, biodiversity, renewable energy and water conservation.

 The Government of Delhi's Chief Minister’s Urban Leaders Fellowship (CMULF) programme
provides opportunities to young experts and leaders across India to focus on environment,
transport and infrastructure.

 Government of Tamil Nadu launched the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's Fellowship Programme
(TNCMFP), which runs from 2022 to 2024. This is employing young experts in
strengthening the state’s governance mechanisms, while allowing them to work on areas
like water resources and agricultural production and focus on data-driven decision-
making.
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I. How should global developments be reflected within
environmental law education?

 Teaching about global climate agreements and their legal implications. Example:
 The Paris Agreement - Limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-
industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
 The Kyoto Protocol - Committing industrialized countries and economies in transition to limit
and reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions in accordance with agreed individual targets.
 Coverage of conventions can help in gaining comprehensive understanding of how international
agreements influence national policies and global conservation efforts.. Example:
 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES) ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not
threaten their survival.
 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) promote the conservation of biological diversity,
the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from
genetic resources.
• Studies on transboundary pollution issues.
 In case of Europe the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air
Pollution (CLRTAP) established protocols to reduce and monitor pollutants,
and in case of North America: The Canada-United States Air Quality
Agreement aimed at reducing transboundary air pollution, particularly
addressing acid rain.
• Comparing and contrasting environmental laws from various countries to
understand different regulatory approaches. Examples:-
 The Environmental Protection Law in China emphasizes pollution prevention
and control, whereas The Environment Law in Japan promotes the
comprehensive and systematic pursuit of environmental policies.
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II. CONTRIBUTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL LAWYER
IN INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW

 Negotiation and Drafting of International Treaties

 Example: Lawyers participated in the drafting of the Paris Agreement, providing
legal language that ensured commitments were clear and enforceable.

 Advisory Roles to Governments

 Example: Advising national delegations at the Conference of the Parties (COP)
meetings under the UNFCCC.

 Legal Drafting in Intergovernmental Organizations

 Example: Environmental lawyers working in organizations such as UNEP or the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) draft legal texts and policy
documents.
 Advocacy within Intergovernmental Processes
 Example: Advocating for the inclusion of human rights considerations
in climate change agreements.
 Participation in International Tribunals and Dispute Resolution
 Example: Representing a state in a case before the International Court
of Justice (ICJ) regarding transboundary pollution.
 Drafting and Interpretation of National Legislation
 Example: Assisting a country in drafting national laws to implement
the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing.
 Research and Policy Development
 Example: Researching the impacts of climate change on small island
developing states (SIDS) and contributing to policy discussions in UN
forums.
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THANK YOU