Asia Pacific Judicial Convening on Environmental and Climate Law Adjudication 2024

The Working Group on Judicial Education and Training (WG JET) of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ), through the Judicial Training Center of the Republic of Indonesia (“JTC”), in collaboration with the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL) and ClientEarth, is organising the second iteration of a programme titled “Asia Pacific Judicial Convening on Environmental and Climate Law Adjudication” from 2 to 6 December 2024. The programme brings together prominent judges from Indonesia and the broader Asia-Pacific region to discuss the latest developments in environmental and climate law adjudication .

One of the priority areas for Training and Education in the Work Plan 2020 – 2025 of the CACJ WG-JET is environmental law. The document ‘ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Blueprint 2025’ also contains Action Line D.3: A Climate Adaptive ASEAN with Enhanced Institutional and Human Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change Impacts.

The convening aims to enhance the understanding and adjudicating capacity of judges from Indonesia and the Asia Pacific on global legal developments in environmental and climate law, and share extensive resources on key legal and scientific advancements across the region to support the effective adjudication of relevant disputes. It will provide a platform for judges to share information and experiences, fostering a collaborative environment for the exchange of insights and best practices.

The convening will be held in person with approximately 20 Indonesian judges and 30 judges from the broader Asia-Pacific region, including Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, India, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Vietnam. The five-day training sessions will delve into cutting-edge legal and interdisciplinary approaches in adjudicating environmental law and climate-related disputes. Speakers will largely be international judges with extensive experience in environmental and climate adjudication alongside expert academics and climate scientists.

The sessions are designed by speaker judges to enhance participant judges’ understanding of the legal developments in global environmental, biodiversity loss and climate change issues in Asia. The first convening of judges from various jurisdictions held in 2023 received positive feedback from participants. This year, notable judges such as Justice Ayesha Malik (Supreme Court of Pakistan), Justice Prakash Srivastava (Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal of India), Retd. Justice Michael Wilson (Supreme Court of Hawai’i) and Justice I Gusti Agung Sumanatha (Chairman of the Civil Chamber of the Supreme Court of Indonesia), and Judge Bambang Hery Mulyono (Head of The Agency for Research and Judicial Training, the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia) will share their extensive experience in addressing the worsening climate and nature crisis happening globally.

TOPICS TO BE DISCUSSED

The Asia Pacific Judicial Convening on Environment and Climate Law Adjudication will explore topics including the impacts of climate change on human rights and the important role of judges in advancing climate justice. The convening will also discuss how international environmental agreements such as the Paris Agreement are now being implemented regionally across countries and are now shaping how courts interpret and adjudicate cases.

The convening will also delve into discussions on the concept of a ‘Just Transition’ and the role of Courts to protect nature and communities in Asia as they transition their energy systems, the latest climate science to inform judicial decisions, and explore effective remedies for environmental cases. The convening aims to equip the judiciary with practical tools and encourage peer-to-peer learning to uphold justice and tackle complex environmental issues across the region.

"It is once again an honour and a privilege to collaborate with the Supreme Court of Indonesia and ICEL on organising this climate and environmental law training for esteemed judges from across Asia. We are also privileged to engage with our distinguished speakers and deeply grateful for their time and for sharing their experiences with the participant judges. We hope this platform will continue to encourage an exchange of knowledge and best practices and support environmental and climate protection." said Elizabeth Wu, Legal Consultant, Energy Systems, Asia, ClientEarth.

“There is a need for judges to keep abreast of legal developments on environmental issues and the impact of climate change. We hope this convening can help facilitate interpretation of environmental law principles. Participants can also take away key learnings on the treatment of climate science as evidence, and on constructing valid legal argumentation that reflects the broader context in which judgments are made.” said Judge Bambang Hery Mulyono, The Head of The Agency for Research and Judicial Training, The Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia (Badan Strategi Kebijakan dan Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Hukum dan Peradilan Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia).

"In addressing the climate crisis, courts play a pivotal role in promoting justice by linking human rights, sustainability, and environmental restoration. The Asia Pacific Judicial Convening on Environmental and Climate Law Adjudication is a strategic forum to strengthen this role, ensuring that we work towards intergenerational equity and fostering a sustainable and fair future for everyone." said Raynaldo G. Sembiring, Executive Director of ICEL.

The Working Group in Judicial Education and Training (WG JET) of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ)

The Working Group on Judicial Education and Training (WG-JET) of the Council of ASEAN Chief Justices (CACJ), co-chaired by the Supreme Courts of Indonesia and the Philippines, is aspired to serves as a pillar of judicial excellence and collaboration within the ASEAN region. This vital initiative is carried out by Indonesia’s Judicial Strategic Policy and Judicial Training and Education Body, alongside the Philippines Judicial Academy (PhilJA), reflecting the shared commitment of both judiciaries to the advancement of judicial education.

WG-JET’s mission is to elevate the capabilities, knowledge, and expertise of judges and court staff across ASEAN member states. Through its dynamic and collaborative education and training initiatives, the Working Group serves as a transformative platform where the judiciaries of ASEAN come together to exchange best practices, share valuable experiences, and introduce innovative approaches to judicial training. These efforts are directed towards fostering a judiciary that is not only consistent and sustainable but also continuously improving in response to emerging regional challenges.

At the heart of WG-JET’s work is the promotion of international cooperation, guided by principles of mutual respect and judicial independence. The Working Group is dedicated to strengthening the judiciary’s pivotal role in upholding justice, promoting the rule of law, and safeguarding legal integrity across ASEAN. By developing a harmonized approach to judicial education, WG-JET ensures that all judges in the region have access to the highest standards of training and professional development, empowering them to address both national and regional legal challenges with confidence, competence, and integrity.

ABOUT THE CO-ORGANISERS

Judicial Training Centre of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia (JTC)

The Research and Development and Education and Training Agency for Law and Judiciary of the Supreme Court (Badan Strategi Kebijakan dan Pendidikan dan Pelatihan Hukum dan Peradilan Mahkamah Agung Republik Indonesia) of the Republic of Indonesia is responsible for assisting the Secretary of the Indonesian Supreme Court in carrying out research and development in the field of law and justice, cooperation between domestic and foreign institutions as well as education and training for technical personnel and judicial administration within the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia. One of the Agency's units, The Judicial Training Centre of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia (JTC), implements judicial legal training activities.

Indonesian Center for Environmental Law (ICEL)

ICEL is a non-profit organization that serves as a hub in the Environmental Law Movement in Indonesia and a catalyst for environmental and social justice movements. ICEL collaborates with various stakeholders and bridges civil society advocacy to state institutions.

Our mission is to drive reform in environmental and natural resources law and policy while strengthening and supporting communities in their fight for environmental rights. We aim to promote justice, transparency, and accountability in environmental governance, empower communities, and advance sustainable solutions.