Law Reform and Social Justice Program — ANU College of Law
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has successfully bypassed Federal Court litigation by mitigating shareholders’ concerns over climate change risk.
In its most recent directors’ report, the bank acknowledged that climate change poses a significant risk to its business. It also … Read the rest
Indian billionaire company Adani’s decision to go ahead with its controversial Carmichael mine despite a major funding shortfall has left it scrambling for funds to little avail.
Following over seven years of legal challenges and delayed state and federal approvals … Read the rest
The Norwegian government is facing a lawsuit over their decision to allow oil company Statoil to conduct oil exploration in the Barents Sea. The case – The People Versus Arctic Oil – is being brought by an alliance of activists, … Read the rest
Many of the worlds largest companies issue ‘sustainability reports’ detailing their efforts to mitigate the environmental cost of their business. These high reporting rates reflect the immense pressure placed on companies by numerous stakeholders – including investors, consumers, governments and … Read the rest
More than fifty United States coal companies (including Arch Coal, Alpha Natural Resources, Patriot Coal and Jim Walter Resources) have filed for bankruptcy since 2012 as a consequence of increased competition, diversity in the energy market and more stringent regulations.… Read the rest
New Matilda reports that a landmark case in the Federal Court could place the ‘brake on Australia’s fossil fuel exports’ by invalidating Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s approval of Adani’s Carmichael Coal Mine – the largest coal mine Australia has ever … Read the rest
The California Climate Science Truth and Accountability Act seeks to extend the statute of limitations from 4 to 30 years for offences relating to specific deceptive corporate practices. If successful, the amendment will enable authorities to hold fossil fuel companies … Read the rest
This article addresses a key question: should it be compulsory for tertiary business students to undertake a compulsory and in-depth ethics course? Timely posited in the wake of a number of contemporary corporate scandals, including Volkswagen’s emissions cheating scheme, the … Read the rest
For a number of years, directors and boards of public companies, particularly in the United States, have been placed under ever-increasing scrutiny. Although much of this attention stems from governments, the media and judiciary, one of the most influential sources … Read the rest
State of West Virginia, et al. v. U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
The Clean Power Plan, the Obama administration’s centrepeice climate change policy, is being challenged in the United States federal appeals court.
The ‘plan’ aims to reduce carbon … Read the rest