To commemorate the 2025 United Nations World Environment Day on 5 June, the International Bar Association (IBA) - the global voice of the legal profession - is spotlighting the work around addressing climate change and advancing sustainability among the legal profession carried out by IBA Committees, as well as bar association and law society member organisations.
IBA President Jaime Carey, commented: 'As an organisation holding observer status with the UN, it is important that the IBA fulfils its original mission to promote and protect the rule of law and contribute to the development of international law. Considering World Environment Day and the emphasis on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals [SDGs] of the UN that are linked to encouraging action to mitigate the effects of climate change and support adaptation measures, it is evident that lawyers play a central role in shaping environmental policies for both governments and businesses. In this regard, the work of IBA Committees is crucial and has the potential to influence a more sustainable future for us all.'
Across IBA constituents - sections, committees, regional fora, law firms, bar associations and law societies - groups are sharing their expertise and working together on different climate crisis and ESG initiatives to produce reports, guides, toolkits, articles, podcasts, webinars, films and more, as well as to hold events. Most of these materials are free for anyone (legal professionals, stakeholders and the general public alike) to download, read, listen to, watch or attend from links on the IBA website. A hub page compiles much of this information in one location.
Some recent IBA activities/initiatives to support sustainability among the legal profession include:
- creating the IBA Climate Registry - an online platform that showcases bar association and law society sustainability initiatives and the steps they are taking to transition to net zero, including climate declarations; climate risk guidance for legal practitioners; climate litigation publications; operational carbon footprint reports, and more. Access these resources and contribute here ;
- the IBA Bar Issues Commission convened an online discussion with almost 50 bar associations and law societies worldwide on challenges, opportunities and best practices regarding formulating and implementing climate initiatives. The event was supported by the American Bar Association , Brazilian Bar Association , Law Society of England and Wales , the United Kingdom Environmental Law Association and the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit .
- publishing the report Roundtable on bar association and law society climate initiatives following the aforementioned discussion;
- the IBA African Regional Forum convened the IBA ESG Accelerator Training Programme , a seven-module programme addressing a range of sustainability matters relevant for legal practitioners including climate change, nature and just transition, business and human rights, sustainable finance and more;
- the IBA Business Human Rights Committee and the IBA Human Rights Law Committee hosted a webinar analysing potential impacts of the EU Omnibus Package on environmental and human rights due diligence; and
- the IBA Law Firm Management Committee hosted a webinar on how law firms across the EU and United States can champion sustainability, where experts highlighted that climate, biodiversity and related risks can pose real world financial risks for companies, and the benefits of close dialogue between law firm operational sustainability teams and legal teams advising on sustainability matters.
The IBA also brings together legal professionals and other stakeholders to discuss environmental issues and action to raise awareness and develop solutions. Forthcoming events include:
- 18 June (Paris, France): ESG Primer: levelling up technical expertise in sustainability reporting and due diligence - a specialised training event designed to provide attendees with a robust understanding of the global sustainability disclosure and due diligence landscape, and practical tips to support legal compliance and good practice environmental and human rights disclosure and due diligence in the EU and globally;
- 19 June (Paris, France): the IBA Annual ESG Conference to be convened by the IBA European Regional Forum , the IBA North American Regional Forum , the IBA Energy, Environment, Natural Resources and Infrastructure Law Section , the IBA Business Human Rights Committee , the IBA Law Firm Management Committee and the IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit ;
- 23 June (Bonn, Germany): a co-hosted official side event at the upcoming UNFCCC Bonn Climate Change Conference , 'Wise counselling in uncertain times: how lawyers can keep the international climate agenda on track'. It will explore what climate change and broader sustainability challenges mean for lawyers' professional roles in a changing geopolitical environment, as well as practical tools that bar associations, law firms and educational institutions can use to advance climate competent lawyering; and
- 25 June (London, United Kingdom): the session Lawyers, bar associations & legal alliances at London Climate Action Week, will focus on understanding climate risks and advancing climate competent lawyering across the legal profession.
Additionally, biodiversity risk and climate change will be the focus of several sessions during the IBA Annual Conference (2-7 November) in Toronto, Canada including one to be convened by the IBA Bar Issues Commission .
On this World Environment Day with the chief focus on ending plastic pollution there will be lawyers across the globe advocating for implementation of the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) resolution to develop a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution.
