Together with numerous legal scholars from all over Europe, IKEM Director Prof. Dr. Michael Rodi will launch the European Association of Climate Law (EACL). In this interview, we spoke to him about the aims of this new association, the program of the first EACL conference (on 22. and September 23, 2025 in Berlin) and prospects for the future.
What challenges does climate law currently face?
Progressive climate change requires a fundamental transformation of the legal system. Significant progress has been made in recent years and clear legal requirements for climate protection have been created for the first time. However, a look at current climate policy reveals frightening signs of waning momentum. This development must be resolutely countered.
How did the idea of a European association for climate law come about?
The European Union with its climate law is embedded in an interesting and rather colorful variety of national climate laws. We believe that a climate law network in Europe is important in order to compare the various approaches, learn from each other and identify best practices for effective climate change mitigation. The EACL is intended to create precisely this platform and provide a home for all people who contribute to the development of climate law in Europe.
What are the aims of the EACL?
With the EACL, we want to promote science and research in the field of climate law. We want to support the development of this area of law and, in doing so, focus on its impact on the law as a whole and its links with international climate law. The association is intended to be a forum for exchange among climate law researchers and, in particular, to support and network young scientists. In addition, the EACL will negotiate the future of a climate law that meets the enormous challenges and aims to make groundbreaking legal policy proposals.
What will be the focus of the first EACL conference in September 2025?
The conference will address central questions of climate law: How is European climate law developing in a global context? What role do courts and legislators play? How can the law encourage companies to do more to protect the climate? And how can climate law requirements be integrated into other areas of law?
A particular focus will be on young academics, who will address topics such as intergenerational justice and the role of climate law in legal education.
How can the EACL develop in the future?
Climate change is just as much a global problem as the work on the further development of climate law. Basically, we need an international association for climate law. I am already in contact with African, Asian and American colleagues. However, we first want to establish “regional” associations for the respective continents so that we can come together harmoniously and on an equal footing worldwide – in a bottom-up process, so to speak.
