E35 Climate Law, Litigation, and Solutions - with Jessica Palairet

In this episode of the Law Down Under Podcast, I am joined by Jessica Palairet, Executive Director of Lawyers for Climate Action NZ (LCANZI), and featured author in the upcoming book on climate solutions by Kiwis in Climate. Since its founding in 2019, LCANZI has rapidly grown to nearly 400 members and has become a leading force in using the law to drive effective climate action. Under Jessica’s leadership, LCANZI has brought significant legal challenges—including headline cases against the New Zealand Government's emission targets and reduction plans—aimed at holding both the government and private sector accountable under the Climate Change Response Act.

Jessica’s extensive legal background spans international climate change litigation, human rights law, and advocacy for legal education, aligning with sustainability goals. In this episode, Jessica shares her unique insights into the critical and evolving role of lawyers in climate solutions, the impact of climate litigation in New Zealand and globally, and her perspectives from the forthcoming book on actionable climate solutions for Aotearoa.