News & Views

CitySwitch is partnering with the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) to provide a 50% discount on the NABERS lodgement fee for tenancy and whole building ratings.. NABERS is recognised as a key pillar of the property industry’s transition to net zero emissions. Recap on the benefits and hear important updates from NABERS HERE and download a discount application HERE 

We know that the price of direct air capture (DAC) is currently prohibitively high but it is equally well understood that both engineered and nature-based carbon removals are likely to be critical to capping global temperature rises at 1.5 degrees Celsius. The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warned last year that greenhouse gas emissions have risen so quickly that large-scale carbon removal is "unavoidable" if the world is to stave off the worst impacts of climate change. READ MORE

Research from Sustainable Brands and Ipsos reveals high levels of environmental concern but a global misperception on the most impactful sustainable behaviors — with a belief that recycling will yield bigger benefits than eating plant-based diets, increasing energy efficiency, and 58 more impactful choices.

But people want to live sustainably, they understand their power as consumers to influence brands to take responsibility as well. In the US, 69 percent of respondents agreed that they believe they can influence companies to do better by buying from them when they do. Globally, 69 percent say they try to purchase products from brands that act responsibly, even if it means spending more. READ MORE 

Aviation is widely considered a hard-to-abate sector and is one of the fastest-growing in the world in terms of emissions. The world’s major airlines, airports and suppliers have backed a new report outlining how the aviation sector can increase usage of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs), improve engine efficiency and invest in novel low-carbon technologies to help reach net-zero by 2050. READ MORE

As part of its overall commitment of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 across its value chain, with an intermediate target of a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, IAG, Australia and New Zealand’s largest general insurer, has joined the United Nations convened Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA). IAG has been a carbon neutral business in relation to its Scope 1 and 2 emissions since 2012, and it has intermediate targets to align its investment portfolio to net-zero emissions by 2050. READ MORE

Some popular Australian paper brands are sourced from native forests. Do you know where your paper comes from? To reach net zero, a deforestation-free supply chain is a "scientific necessity", according to a new analysis commissioned by the UN-backed Race to Zero. Deforestation from the forest, land and agricultural industries contributes around 11% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Getting companies in these sectors to curb emissions is deemed crucial to limiting global warming. READ MORE

In an interview with Lawyers Weekly head of responsible business and ESG at Corrs, Phoebe Wynn-Pope, discusses the potential for changes to meet sustainability commitments such as climate change could have adverse collateral impacts in other areas such as human rights or ecosystem loss. Read More HERE

AusLSA member firm King and Wood Mallesons recently released their "Directions 2022" Report in which they said that the rise of Environmental, Social and Governmental issues are now part of 'Business as Usual'.

Their research in relation to ESG priorities demonstrates that "people" issues relating to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce are most important to business leaders, closely followed by building organisational sustainability and managing public commitments to greenhouse gas emissions. Read the report HERE

Climate litigation has become an additional instrument used to enforce or enhance global climate commitments.  This continues to grow in importance on a year on year basis as a way of either advancing or delaying effective action on climate change. The Grantham Research Institute in their latest report "Global Trends in Climate Change Litigation 2022" looks at  the past 12 months and concludes that litigation continues to be used by diverse actors around the world as a tool to influence the outcomes of climate governance debates at all levels of government. Read the report HERE

The Australian Pro Bono Centre has developed and collected a number of resources  to help lawyers feel equipped to address the climate crisis challenge.
These tools, available on their website, include a global pro bono climate action portal; a pro bono guide to the climate crisis; a list of Australian civil society organisations who are currently tackling climate change and a compilation of other helpful resources. CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SITE