Cultural Legitimacy and the International Law and Policy on Climate Change

Climate change poses fundamental and varied challenges to all communities across the globe. The adaptation and mitigation strategies proposed by governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are likely to require radical and fundamental shifts in socio-political structures, technological and economic systems, organisational forms, and modes of regulation. The sheer volume of law and policy emanating from the international level makes it uncertain which type of regulatory or policy framework is likely to have a positive impact. The success or failure of proposed measures will depend on their acceptability within the local constituencies within which they are sought to be applied. Therefore there is an urgent need to better comprehend and theorise the role of cultural legitimacy in the choice and effectiveness of international legal and policy interventions aimed at tackling the impact of climate change.

The seminar will contribute to research on the international law and policy of climate change by focusing on the issue of cultural legitimacy. Beginning from the premise that legitimacy critiques of international climate change regulation have the capacity to positively influence policy trends and legal choices, the seminar will showcase innovative ideas from across the disciplines and investigate the link between the efficacy of international legal and policy mechanisms on climate change and cultural legitimacy or local acceptance.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Mr Felix Dodds, Executive Director, Stakeholder Forum

Prof Michael Dorsey, Dartmouth College, New Hampshire

Prof Kirk Junker, University of Cologne

Prof Beth Savan, Director of Sustainability, University of Toronto

ORGANISERS

Dr Thoko Kaime and Dr Regina Rauxloh , School of Law and Surrey International Law Centre, University of Surrey