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Jindal Global Law School & WWF-India Launch One Year LLM Programme in Environmental Law, Energy & Climate Change

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Si TeamJindal Global Law School & WWF-India Launch One Year LLM Programme in Environmental Law, Energy & Climate Change.

The Jindal Global Law School (O.P Jindal Global University) and WWF-India has launched a one year LLM Programme in Environmental Law, Energy and Climate Change which is the first of its kind to be taught in India. In the event held on 29 March at New Delhi, a memorandum of Understanding was signed between the two institutions regarding the same. The launch was marked by the presence of honourable Judges from the Supreme Court of India - Dr. Justice D. Y. Chandrachud and Justice Deepak Gupta, and Judges from the Supreme Court of Hawaii - Justice Michael D Wilson and Justice Sabrina McKenna.

Explaining the role of law makers in environmental protection, and the significance of the course, Professor (Dr.) C Raj Kumar, Founding Vice Chancellor, JGU says, "The theme of
environmental law and climate change is probably the most important issue that universities and law schools should be concerned about. There is a sense of responsibility on the part of higher education institutions to be able to address issues that are going to have significant implications for the future. Environment is one such thing, but even more importantly, legal institutions and laws have a very significant role in speaking truth to power. Public policy and law have that goal and with that objective we are launching the Master of Laws programme in collaboration with WWF-India".

The primary objectives of the programme include studying the alternate energy solutions, how people are dealing with climate change, environmental laws, and the implementation of available solutions, relationship between environment & climate change, the role of law & judiciary, and resolution mechanisms, to name a few. Law graduates who would like to develop specialist legal knowledge on national and global environment issues can gain admittance into this program, which will consist of core and elective courses covering national and international environmental laws, energy laws & policies, climate change governance & adaptation, and renewable energy development in India.

Dr. Justice D Y Chandrachud also gave a keynote speech on the topic ­ `Environmental Justice and the Rule of Law: Role of the Judiciary and Judges'. He described climate change as an existential threat, and urged the citizens to see themselves as `ecological citizens' and move towards a sustainable society. "The rule of law in environmental governance is seen as an aid in recognizing of environmental injustices faced by vulnerable groups such as indigenous tribes, women and livelihood reliant communities. It seeks to empower them. Ecological sustainability cannot exist without the rule of law," he said.