The Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) held a panel discussion titled “Litigation to Enforcement: Mobilizing the Rule of Law in Response to the Climate Crisis”at the 20thedition of the Doha Forum today.
Addressing one of this year’s Doha Forum focus areas, climate change and sustainability, the distinguished panellists touched on the importance of enforcement of environmental laws to mitigate the global effects of climate change.
On the future of greenhouse gas emissions, Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Royal Society Fellow and Chair of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College London, said: "Net zero is the only way to stop the global temperature increase, which would effectively cause sea levels to rise for centuries."
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, former Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court and presently a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, noted: “Science must come into the courtroom if we are to deal with climate change cases. A failure to implement these policies would affect the right to life and dignity.”
Dr. Muna al-Marzouqi, a judge of the QFC Regulatory Tribunal, commented: “Private sectors have to protect human rights, including the right to a healthy and safe environment for current and future generations.” Meanwhile, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd, President of the Court, added that a “delivery of promises for change can only come about through the Rule of Law.”
Chaired by Helen Mountfield QC, judge of the Court, the panel featured global experts in environmental justice, includingJustice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, former Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court and presently a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan; President of the Court, Lord Thomas of Cwmgiedd;Professor Sir Brian Hoskins, Royal Society Fellow and Chair of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change at Imperial College London; andDr. Muna al-Marzouqi, a judge of the QFC Regulatory Tribunal.
The Qatar International Court’s participation at the Doha Forum comes as part of its ongoing engagement with local and international leaders and policymakers to jointly find solutions that can uphold the Rule of Law, as well as promotepublic trust in the legal, regulatory and judicial environment.
