United States Law and Climate Atlas: A new resource to build lawyers’ climate capability

The Net Zero Lawyers Alliance and the Hughes Hall Centre for Climate Engagement are delighted to announce the United States instalment of the Law and Climate Atlas.

Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. This solution will require everyone to play a part, including commercial law firms and commercial lawyers.  

While lawyers have essential expertise and are uniquely positioned to accelerate the global transition, they are often an untapped lever for change. The Law and Climate Atlas aims to change this by providing a resource that helps lawyers understand how climate change affects different areas of the law – and their role in the transition.

With the impacts of climate change increasing, climate litigation on the rise and a tidal wave of regulation expected, it is essential that all lawyers build their climate awareness.  

The Law and Climate Atlas is a free online resource that maps the intersections between climate change and many different fields of law. Its concise outlines describe how different areas of the law are influencing – and are being influenced by – climate change.  

Organised by jurisdiction, this latest instalment focuses on the United States. This strategic choice recognises the importance of the United States, both for its contribution to global emissions and its leadership on clean energy and climate change through the Inflation Reduction Act 2022.  

The US instalment covers multiple areas of the law, including human rights, securities and finance, tort, contract, international trade, taxation and supply chain considerations.

The US Law and Climate Atlas would not be possible without our many contributors and reviewers. A special thanks goes to Hannah White (Project Manager, Net Zero Lawyers Alliance), who worked tirelessly to coordinate and edit the inputs received.  

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