Climate Change: A Guide to Carbon Law and Practice

Citation

Dent, P.R. (2009), "Climate Change: A Guide to Carbon Law and Practice", Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Vol. 27 No. 6, pp. 609-609. https://doi.org/10.1108/14635780910993195

On the face of it this is a book that has been written for lawyers and to a large degree that is true. However, it also has wider appeal, particularly for all those in the built environment professions who have a genuine concern to understand some of the opportunities as opposed to threats about climate change.

As Paul Watchman states in the Introduction where the effects of climate change are concerned “there is no immediate answer, no silver bullet”. But what is offered here are some means by which strategic thinking can help those active in the property industry to maintain a competitive advantage through an awareness of the legislative framework which is being developed around climate change, carbon emissions and property holding.

The book is structured in sections with a Preface from HRH The Prince of Wales. Each section is written by an expert in their field. The introductory part deals with the last 35 years' history of climate change law and policy from the 1972 Stockholm Conference through to the IPCC fourth Assessment Report in December 2007. Part II covers carbon projects, principally clean development mechanisms and joint implementations. It offers the reader some insights into the practical risks (both financial and legal) involved in contracting for emissions reduction generally.

Part III moves into more detail on carbon trading, dealing with credits, contracts and global markets. This is followed by the carbon issue for lawyers, which covers such diverse concerns as accounting, taxation, corporate social responsibility, litigation, real estate and carbon sequestration. All of these aspects are particularly relevant to those professionals working in the built environment. For example, the concept of “green” is explored, not just in the context of the structure of buildings but also in the areas of commercial agreements and property leases. The authors conclude this section with the clear statement that “the front door is wide open” for governments to act for a quick win.

If you are looking for a comprehensive overview of legal aspects of climate change and the built environment then this might be the book to consider. It is written in a lively style which is engaging. The many authors show a passion for their subjects and hopefully their words will inspire the reader to act. Certainly, by reading this book, any professional will finish it with a greater knowledge of the subject and its implications and the range of opportunities that pursuing a green agenda can throw up for clients.