Harro van Asselt: Phasing Out Fossil Fuels under International Law: Why and How? (Seminar)

In the episode of the IILAH Podcast, Professor Harro van Asselt (University of Cambridge) presents on the topic of phasing out fossil fuels under international law. This seminar was chaired by Professor Margaret Young and co-hosted with the Melbourne Centre for Law and the Environment. At the UN Climate Summit in 2023, the fight over a fossil fuel phase-out took centre stage, resulting in a decision calling on countries to ‘transition away’ from fossil fuels. Professor van Asselt first examined why there have been growing calls for a fossil fuel phase-out, and why international law should play a role in governing the transition away from fossil fuels. Next, he discussed the international regulation of phasing out fossil fuels, focusing on climate change law, human rights law, and investment law. Lastly, he explored options for reform, including through the international climate change regime as well as through a proposed fossil fuel treaty.