Climate change conversations will seek the expertise of Energy Law professionals

To implement action plans that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build climate resilience, constant changes are being made in strategy, legislation, policy, and approach of governments as well as private organisations. This poses regulatory and legal challenges of the magnitude, scope, and complexity unseen before

‘Northern Hemisphere just had its hottest summer on record’

‘World faces intense heat wave amid continued coronavirus fears’

‘We may have just seen the world’s highest recorded temperature ever. Has that sunk in?’

These are some of the several stories that made headlines recently, highlighting the adverse impact of climate change all over the world.

Years 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 2014, 2013, 2010, 2005 and 1998 have been the hottest ten years on record ever as tracked by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an American scientific agency. It has further warned that years in the next decade (2019-2028) will continue to be among the hottest so far.

The concern over the environment has pressurised governments to act upon the issue, bringing them together to adopt landmark accords such as the Paris Agreement (2015). The pact calls for collective efforts by countries to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius, and given the dire consequences, to strive for 1.5 degrees Celsius.

For implementing such action plans that reduce emissions and build climate resilience, constant changes are being made for transitioning towards clean and affordable energy. The modifications in the global energy situation require developments in strategy, legislation, policy, and approach of governments as well as private organisations. This poses regulatory and legal challenges of the magnitude, scope, and complexity unseen before.

It is against such backdrop that lawyers with a specialisation in energy will be the most sought-after in the times ahead.

When environmental and economic ethics collide 

Globally, India stands at the third position in power generation after China and the US. Its energy amalgam comprises 63.2% of conventional sources and 34.6% renewable energy sources. Owing to the country’s geographical size and diversity, various conflicts relating to energy arise, especially when there is a collision between environmental and economic ethics.

One such instance was in 2015 when the Supreme Court of India issued a ruling, asking industries with captive power plants to procure a percentage of their energy from renewable sources or risk getting fined. This came after a group of 28 companies – with sectors ranging from cement to textiles – challenged the Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (RERC) regulation that forced them to abide by the renewable energy targets. The State High Court dismissed the petitions.

Lawyers who specialise in energy can find lucrative and fulfilling positions working for the government under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Ministry of Power, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, intergovernmental organisations such as the International Energy Agency as well as several reputed private firms.

Is UPES School of Law the right choice for you?

University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES) School of Law is the place where students are prepared for rewarding careers through exceptional pedagogy, carefully-crafted curriculum and unique instructional methods modelled after global trends.

UPES is the first Indian university to partner with The University of Law based in the United Kingdom. It offers BA LL.B. (Hons.) and LLM with specialisation in Energy Law, focussing on the legal aspects related to the energy sector.

The university continually engages with law professionals to remain abreast with comprehensive knowledge and legal practices. UPES’ state-of-the-art infrastructure and an in-house moot court for experiential learning create an academically-stimulating environment and a collaborative learning ecosystem that sharpens the understanding of legal institutions and helps the students to emerge as first-rate lawyers.

Have a look at the video below:

Sources: earthsky.org, kyodonews, The Guardian