Laying down the law on green energy?

Many people espouse environmental causes, but we are generally slow to change our behaviours and reluctant to bear the cost of greener, renewable energy sources. How do we incentivise people to buy in to the long-term environmental vision while promoting energy security?

Although in 2014 global carbon emissions did not rise, this achievement leaves us far short of a much-needed reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The world cannot presently agree on binding carbon reduction targets. Nevertheless, the climate change imperatives are clear, so that it becomes vital to determine what sort of incentives or governance structures we want in place to accelerate the decarbonisation of energy.

Are we prepared to make immediate financial sacrifices, such as decommissioning coal in our energy mix, in order to bring about long-term benefits, not least from taking a lead in the development of clean technologies? Might we be prepared to invest in the likes of carbon capture systems or novel modes of energy storage?

There are many other issues surrounding energy and the environment, and all have a legal aspect to them. For example, researchers in Birmingham Law School have written a book on food regulation in Europe, and is currently working on the socio-economic aspects of harvesting and developing pharmaceutical products from marine sponges (funded by Marie Curie) and – on behalf of the WWF (UK) – a review of sustainability duties in the UK.

Academics in the School of Law work with a wide range of government departments and public sectors in the UK and Europe – including the European Parliament, the European Commission and the House of Commons – to advise on future developments. We also carry out research projects on the legal impact of proposed change, such as the regulation of nanotechnologies for the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Our researchers, then, operate at the cutting edge of environmental law and are well placed to help shape the greener world in which we want to live.