Climate Change and Judicial System

On the occasion of the French Journée du Droit (Legal Day), the Embassy of France in the United States and the Permanent Mission of France to the Organization of American States (OAS) will join forces to discuss the role of the law and the courts in addressing climate and environmental change.

This conversation will take place in the wake of significant increases in climate change litigation and the historic recognition of the State's obligations to address climate change and protect human rights, whether in national, European or international courts. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is expected to issue a historic decision on this issue in the coming months that could have far-reaching implications for countries’ obligations to address climate change.

In a transatlantic dialogue with a panel featuring Judge Nancy Hernández López, President of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, and Michael Gerrard, Director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia University, this event will explore the following questions:

- What role should judges play in the fight against climate change?

- At what level (national, regional, international) should climate decisions be made? Is a dialogue between courts possible?

- Where does American environmental law stand?

This event is jointly organized by the French Embassy and the Permanent Mission of France to the Organization of American States (OAS) and will take place at the Maison Française. It will be hosted by the Ambassador of France to the United States, Laurent Bili, and the Permanent Observer of France to the Organization of American States, Ambassador Céline Giusti. The event is free and a glass of wine will be provided for all guests.

Please register with your full name and bring your ID to the event. There will be no parking inside the Embassy.

Host or Publisher Ambassade de France aux Etats-Unis