Writing in NLJ this week, Kirsty Brimelow KC, chair of the Bar Council, argues that ‘Climate literacy should be part of professional literacy’. Competent advice requires lawyers to understand climate risks and keep their knowledge current.
Litigation encompasses greenwashing, carbon offsets and energy-intensive data centres. Misleading environmental claims expose businesses to legal and reputational damage, while climate disruption raises questions about rights, equality and public decision-making.
The Supreme Court’s Finch judgment illustrates the stakes: assessing an oil extraction project’s environmental impact required consideration of emissions from burning the oil produced.
Drawing on the National Emergency Briefing for Law, Brimelow urges lawyers to put climate risks before decision-makers, understand the science and use their professional influence. The challenge is turning knowledge into action across the profession’s work with clients.
