Christ’s Kennel Climate and Sustainability Seminar 2025

The 2025 seminar is a panel discussion on the theme 'Nature and rights – what legal frameworks and practices do we need to protect all life on Earth?'

The speakers are:

Chair: Lord Simon Mcdonald, Master, Christ's College
Laura Clarke, Chief Executive Officer, ClientEarth
Helen Dancer, Associate Professor in Law and Anthropology, University of Sussex
Emma Lees, Professor of Environment and Property Law, University of Cambridge

Increasing attention on market-based approaches to protecting nature requires taking the role of law and regulation seriously. We know successful conservation and restoration of nature doesn’t work if it rides roughshod over human rights. And with the UN recognising the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, there is a great opportunity to bring questions of human rights into dialogue with conservation. 

In this session we will explore these questions, alongside important new legal approaches grounded in earth jurisprudence and the rights of nature, which are deeply engaged with indigenous perspectives and philosophies. We hope to bring together approaches to deepen understanding of how law can ensure thriving futures for people and the Earth.

The Christ's Kennel Climate and Sustainability Seminar is held in collaboration with the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP). More information on the CSaP website.