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A new chance in climate change
Climate change - a growing practice areaWith the international focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we have seen an increase in regulatory control. Climate change legislation is becoming…
Lawyers Weekly
Climate change - a growing practice area
However, the recent Garnaut report and the proposed ETS are prompting an even greater focus on climate change legislation. Heralded by Brad Wylynko of Clayton Utz as "the most significant piece of [environmental] legislation ever to be brought forward in Australian history" the planned scheme has already led many firms to obtain professional legal advice. Once the legislation is in place, there will continue to be a large volume of legal work involved as businesses seek to ensure compliance.
One option is the creation of a specialised climate change practice area. This department would be charged with providing advice around existing and impending legislation as well as contributing climate change advice to larger deals. Another option is to expand on a firm's existing environmental or energy and resources practice area to incorporate climate change work.
However, we should not rule out the emergence of niche climate change law firms. The highly specialised subject area is one that lends itself well to small firms with a singular focus.
Recruit or retrain?
Given the current focus on climate change legislation, practitioners with strong experience in this area will be in demand. Some law firms will look to recruit lawyers with relevant expertise to bolster their teams. However, given the current economic climate, it may prove more cost-effective to build on internal resources, giving existing staff the chance to obtain training in climate change law. With many firms already offering an environmental law practice, it would be a natural and valuable progression for these departments to get up to speed with climate change regulation.
In accordance with international obligations, it is clear that the Australian Commonwealth Government is committed to implementing legislation to reduce carbon emissions. Whatever the shape of the final ETS that comes into force, businesses need to start planning now to understand how much carbon they emit so they can implement a cost management strategy. This will inevitably involve legal consultation.
Law firms need to make sure that they have on board the employee base and expertise to deal with the increase in climate change work. This new revenue stream is especially important given how the downturn has impacted on traditional high revenue areas such as M&A and financial services. Whether it is through recruitment or training, law firms must evolve to capitalise on the opportunity that climate change legislation provides.
TJ Viljoen is the CEO of LexisNexis Pacific and an admitted attorney of the Supreme Court of South Africa
LexisNexis, publishers of Lawyers Weekly, also publish the new title - Climate Change Law and Policy in
