Youth Activists, Climate Conscious Lawyering and Environmental Policy: Parliamentary Inquiry Submissions in Legal Education

Abstract

As legal practice adapts to the changing expectations lawyers face, law schools must also adapt to ensure they continue to engage their student populations. How law schools can teach the wider 'climate-conscious' advocacy skills that future legal generations will require remains an underexplored area. In this article, we propose one novel approach law schools might take, namely, creating and implementing a parliamentary inquiry submission student writing program. We argue that such an approach can help students develop unique skills, further hone their interest in environmental legal issues and empower students to have a practical and real impact on the policy process.

Keywords: Environmental Law, Legal Education, Government Inquiries