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Recent years have seen an increase in climate-related protests and demonstrations. There is a clear disparity between the opinions of the public and those of the state in relation to climate change and how it should be tackled. At the heart of the problem is poor communication between citizens and state actors, which has resulted in a lack of support from the public for the state’s climate policy formulation and implementation processes. To increase support for new and existing climate-related policies and initiatives, and to ensure that the fundamental human right to public participation is protected, the state must make a concerted effort to engage with the public during the policy formulation, introduction, application and monitoring phases. This would ensure that state actors are better informed about the concerns of the public and that, when promoting decision-making in climate-related policies, citizens are given opportunities to exercise their right to public participation. It would also promote transparency and accountability in the decision-making process and create a more engaged citizenry and inclusive society. The processes driving greater public participation are not new; they have been encouraged and supported by United Nations (UN) Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and have been incorporated into environmental law both at the national level and at an international level through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, it may be necessary to rethink and reframe existing public participatory processes to encourage stronger cooperation between all stakeholders in environmental decision-making processes including climate change.

The decision-makers, lawyers and legislators have a responsibility to know and understand the science, facts, global regulatory framework and uncertainties of climate change in order to better achieve the goals of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement as well as the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among others. They also have linkages and relevance for the implementation of the legal obligations under Article 6 (inherent right to life) of the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Articles 11 (adequate standard of living) and 12 (physical and mental health) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). This study critically examines the complex interplay between different regimes regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation, sustainability and human rights so as to better respond to “climate emergency” underscored by the UN Secretary-General on 2 June 2022 at the Stockholm+50 Conference.

Where do we stand, 50 years past the Stockholm Conference and almost 80 years past Bretton Woods? What is the role of international trade in the contemporary systems design that has emerged from these two historic events in the turn of times? Climate change is a global human and environmental challenge that calls for more coherent action to achieve shared climate goals in times of climate emergency. It is thus argued, that international trade must become more systemically integrated, greener and more sustainable for that matter. The focus lies on the World Trade Organization and its potentially bridge-building function between distinct legal and political fields, which have long been perceived irreconcilable, but which are by their very nature inherently connected.

This article explores contextual background and legislative developments within the energy sector of both South Africa and the European Union (EU) which has led to the formulation of the International Just Energy Transition Partnership between South Africa and the EU and particular EU member states. This is done by observing and unpacking the state of renewable energy production within South Africa and the EU and reviewing key principles in specific legislation within the respective energy sector. The paper aims to address and identify areas of interest that should be included within the International Just Energy Transition Partnership between South Africa and the EU in order to ensure that climate goals and energy sector objectives within both South Africa and the EU are efficiently and effectively achieved.

Where do we stand, 50 years past the Stockholm Conference and almost 80 years past Bretton Woods? What is the role of international trade in the contemporary systems design that has emerged from these two historic events in the turn of times? Climate change is a global human and environmental challenge that calls for more coherent action to achieve shared climate goals in times of climate emergency. It is thus argued, that international trade must become more systemically integrated, greener and more sustainable for that matter. The focus lies on the World Trade Organization and its potentially bridge-building function between distinct legal and political fields, which have long been perceived irreconcilable, but which are by their very nature inherently connected.

This article examines –from an international law perspective –the interface between soil protection, land degradation neutrality, food security, climate governance and trade in agriculture. Although these different spheres are most often viewed in isolation, an attempt is made to analyse them more holistically with the aim of identifying the connectedness for the purpose of finding some strategies for a better common future.

The international workshop “Implementing Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) in Africa: Means, legal instruments and institutional challenges?”—Organized in cooperation between the German Environment Agency (UBA), the Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung—Climate Policy and Energy Security Program for Sub-Saharan Africa—, the GIZ and University of Nairobi—was held on 14/15 August 2018 at the Hotel Windsor in Nairobi, Kenya. The workshop was attended by about 40 experts from African countries and abroad. Representatives of the African Soil Partnership, of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and the African Union as well as of International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) attended the workshop.

Law | Environment | Africa compiles the proceedings of the 5th Symposium and the 4th Scientific Conference of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers from African Universities (ASSELLAU) in cooperation with the Climate Policy and Energy Security Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa run by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The book’s aim is to explore, review and analyse recent developments at the point where the law and the environment in Africa overlap. The collection comprises 32 chapters by legal experts from central, eastern, southern and western Africa. It is divided thematically into four parts: 1.) Climate change and energy 2.) Natural resource governance 3.) Water governance, management and use 4.) The role of the law in regulating social and environmental impacts associated with human activity These subjects are discussed in the context of national, regional and international law frameworks, which are central to Africa’s quest to attain its desired and sustainable development trajectory within the confines of the continent’s valuable yet fragile ecological infrastructure. With contributions by Dr. Oluwatoyin Adejonwo-Osho, Dr. Lanre Aladeitan, Dr. Jean-Claude Ashukem, Dr. Godard Busingye, Prof. Dr. Mark B. Funteh, Dr. Elizabeth Gachenga, Prof. Dr. Patricia Kameri-Mbote, Prof. Dr. Emmanuel D. Kam Yogo, Prof. Dr. Emmanuel Kasimbazi, Prof. Dr. Michael Kidd, Gift Dorothy Makanje, Amanda Mkhonza, Prof. Dr. Ayoade Morakinyo Adedayo, Dr. Kariuki Muigua, Dr. Phiona Muhwezi Mpanga, Andrew Muma, Dr. Joseph Magloire Ngang, Dr. Marie Ngo Nonga, Chidinma Therese Odaghara, Edna Odhiambo, Dr. Collins Odote, Dr. Irekpitan Okukpon, Dr. Erimma Gloria Orie, Prof. Dr. Bibobra Bello Orubebe, Daniel Armel Owona Mbarga, Prof. Dr. Alexander Ross Paterson, Olivia Rumble, Prof. Dr. Oliver C. Ruppel, Dr. Esther Effundem Njieassam, Dr. Pamela Towela Sambo, Prof. Dr. Christopher Funwie Tamasang, Prof. Mekete Bekele Tekle, Robert Alex Wabunoha, Nerima Akinyi Were, Hadijah Yahyah.