From Court Rulings to Net Zero Pledges, Understanding the Impact of the Climate Crisis on the Practice of Law and Your Clients
The climate crisis is not just an issue. It is shaking the foundations of human civilization in ways that will overwhelmingly define the coming decades, including the practice of law.
The growing number of climate disasters is being followed by an explosion of climate litigation. Since December 2019, successful court rulings around the world have required sharp emission reductions by governments and businesses, and many more cases are in progress. Perhaps in response, asset managers of US$ 130 trillion have pledged to refocus their investments in ways consistent with the Paris agreement, and business leaders across the economy are making net zero pledges.
Learn what’s happening and how you can advise your clients.
Toronto Lawyers Association
For more than 135 years, the Toronto Lawyers' Association, located within the Courthouse Library, has represented the interests of lawyers practising in the City of Toronto. The association was founded to support its members in three key areas: Knowledge, Advocacy, and Community. To uphold these pillars, the association offers a year-round mix of online and in-person education programs for lawyers, hosts both free and paid events to foster in-person networking, and submits advocacy pieces on behalf of its members to the Ontario bench and bar, all levels of government, and the broader public.
Climate/ Environmental Lawyer
Dianne Saxe, Ph.D. in Law, is one of Canada’s most respected environmental lawyers. She ran an environmental law boutique for 25 years, and was the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario 2015 – 2019, reporting to the Legislature on environment, energy and climate. Now heads SaxeFacts, focussing on the climate crisis. Substantial board and media experience. Hosts Green Economy Heroes(link is external) podcast. Senior Fellow, Massey College. Law Society Medal 2020(link is external) for exemplary leadership in environmental law. Clean50 honouree. Deputy leader of the Ontario Green Party and Green Party candidate(link is external) in University-Rosedale. Global Competent Board Designation
Certified Specialist in Environmental Law and a nationally recognized senior practitioner
Janet Bobechko is a Certified Specialist in Environmental Law and a nationally recognized senior practitioner with extensive experience in all aspects of environmental law, climate change and sustainability. Janet’s environmental law practice is focused on climate change and sustainability, Environment Social Governance (ESG), real estate and brownfield development and environmental dispute resolution. She routinely provides sophisticated and strategic advice on environmental compliance, mergers & acquisitions, real estate and portfolio acquisitions and dispositions, leasing, financings, and environmental management systems. She has significant experience in construction contracts and lien matters as they relate to contamination, remediation and excess soils. Her dispute resolution work includes, providing advice on environmental aspects in complex civil litigation for legacy contamination, migration of contamination, environmental regulatory inspections, defence of charges, orders, and strategic due diligence advice. Janet supports her clients with advice on environmental approvals (all media), chemical management and importation of new substances into Canada, transportation of dangerous goods, hazardous products, pesticides, stewardship, producer responsibility and the circular economy. She advises on risk management, emergency planning and spill response, storage tanks, Federal E2 Regulations and strategic communication. She is routinely consulted on issues related to sewage works, waste/process water management and treatment, source water protection and sustainable water supply. Janet advises on climate change issues including climate risk, climate resilient infrastructure and the impacts to supply chains. She provides support to clients as they look to diversify their businesses with investments into new, low carbon asset classes and technologies. She advises boards of directors regarding environmental compliance, corporate reporting strategies and risk mitigation and environmental insurance, and advises clients on environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) matters. Janet sits on the external advisory committee for Toronto Metropolitan University’s Corporate Social Responsibility Institute and co-chair’s the Ontario Environment Industry Association (ONEIA) Climate Change Committee. Janet is also on the Province of Ontario’s Excess Soils Engagement Group. She is a sough after speaker at industry events. Janet received a career achievement award from the Canadian Brownfields Network as a person who has had a profound impact on the brownfield industry in Canada.
