A legal framework for resilient electricity infrastructure in Australia. This project aims to develop a legal and governance framework to enhance the resilience of Australia's electricity infrastructure in a changing climate. Building resilience reduces the total cost of disasters in Australia, a major share of which will come from replacing damaged critical infrastructure, without accounting for climate change impacts. This project aims to develop the legal and governance framework by addressin ....A legal framework for resilient electricity infrastructure in Australia. This project aims to develop a legal and governance framework to enhance the resilience of Australia's electricity infrastructure in a changing climate. Building resilience reduces the total cost of disasters in Australia, a major share of which will come from replacing damaged critical infrastructure, without accounting for climate change impacts. This project aims to develop the legal and governance framework by addressing both the integration of smart technologies and disaster risk reduction measures in the electricity system. This is expected to provide significant economic, social and environmental benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
Traditional knowledge and intellectual property: A comparison of current approaches in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The concepts of 'indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights' and 'traditional resource rights' have sparked a debate between resource-rich developing countries and technology rich industrialised nations, because of their importance for biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. This comparative study combines legal analysis and fieldwork to critically examine ....Traditional knowledge and intellectual property: A comparison of current approaches in Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The concepts of 'indigenous cultural and intellectual property rights' and 'traditional resource rights' have sparked a debate between resource-rich developing countries and technology rich industrialised nations, because of their importance for biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. This comparative study combines legal analysis and fieldwork to critically examine cultural assumptions about the relationship of indigenous communities to their symbols and their environment. The examination will extend to Southeast Asia to discover different concepts of 'indigenous' and different mechanisms for the interaction between state and customary law. Asian experiences with legislation in this field will provide useful insights for legislators in Australia.Read moreRead less
Managing Competing Claims to Land and Resources - Does Property Law Promote Sustainability ? A key factor in promoting environmental sustainability is the resolution of competing claims to land and water resources in rural Australia. This project would examine the effectiveness of property law as the major model for resolving conflicts and regulating land and resources. Through overseas and Australian comparative research the project would provide an analysis of alternative legal and instituti ....Managing Competing Claims to Land and Resources - Does Property Law Promote Sustainability ? A key factor in promoting environmental sustainability is the resolution of competing claims to land and water resources in rural Australia. This project would examine the effectiveness of property law as the major model for resolving conflicts and regulating land and resources. Through overseas and Australian comparative research the project would provide an analysis of alternative legal and institutional models of relevance to land and resource management authorities, industry and community groups. It would support the resolution of competing claims through an examination of legal models, which may more effectively promote environmental sustainability.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Legal Regime for a Sustainable Carbon Cycle. The reduction of carbon emissions is a priority for governments worldwide. In Australia, the Federal Government is in the process of introducing a carbon emissions reduction scheme. Key elements of that scheme relating to the legal treatment of carbon in all forms relies upon the disparate property law frameworks of the respective States and Territories inherited from England in the 19th Century. The object of this project is to create a ....An Integrated Legal Regime for a Sustainable Carbon Cycle. The reduction of carbon emissions is a priority for governments worldwide. In Australia, the Federal Government is in the process of introducing a carbon emissions reduction scheme. Key elements of that scheme relating to the legal treatment of carbon in all forms relies upon the disparate property law frameworks of the respective States and Territories inherited from England in the 19th Century. The object of this project is to create a consistent and coherent approach to this national (and international) issue to make the operation of any scheme more effective thus leading to a reduction of carbon emissions.Read moreRead less
Developing a legal framework for Indonesia's participation in an internationally sanctioned scheme for reducing emissions from deforestation (and degradation). Global climate change is projected to have serious consequences for Australia. Innovative research to provide a legal framework for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (RED(D)) schemes in developing countries, including Indonesia, is needed. As Australia is likely to be the first country in the world to recognise 'offset ....Developing a legal framework for Indonesia's participation in an internationally sanctioned scheme for reducing emissions from deforestation (and degradation). Global climate change is projected to have serious consequences for Australia. Innovative research to provide a legal framework for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (RED(D)) schemes in developing countries, including Indonesia, is needed. As Australia is likely to be the first country in the world to recognise 'offset credits' from RED(D), under its proposed emissions trading scheme commencing in 2010-2011, the project will benefit Australia. The project will also support the Australian government's Global Initiative on Forests, including the Kalimantan Forests and Climate Partnership with Indonesia. It will place Australian and Indonesian legal academics at the forefront of this innovative area of legal research.Read moreRead less
Improving the global governance of sharks: obstacles, options and opportunities. Improving the global governance of sharks is critical in light of their poor conservation status and importance for marine ecosystems. This project will make an important contribution to their conservation and sustainable use by identifying obstacles and opportunities for working better with existing laws and making recommendations for reform.
Intersections between science and law: the implementation of threatened species legislation in Australia. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of techniques currently used in threatened species legislation in Australia. By combining the skills of experts in law and ecology, we will assess the role of science and scientists in decision-making processes and the extent to which decision-makers apply the precautionary principle when faced with scientific uncertainty. The project will analy ....Intersections between science and law: the implementation of threatened species legislation in Australia. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of techniques currently used in threatened species legislation in Australia. By combining the skills of experts in law and ecology, we will assess the role of science and scientists in decision-making processes and the extent to which decision-makers apply the precautionary principle when faced with scientific uncertainty. The project will analyse the existing legislative techniques and possible alternatives in the context of the current theoretical debate about the respective advantages of reflexive law (which facilitates self-regulation) and top-down command-and-control regulation.Read moreRead less
Waiting For Law: Land, Custom and Legal Regulation in East Timor. The project contributes to a national research priority: safeguarding Australia. Conflicts over customary lands have played important roles in the 'arc of instability' to our North, including in relation to natural resources (Aceh, West Papua, Bougainville) and land alienated or leased to "outsiders" (Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji). Developing an effective model for regulating customary lands in East Timor will (1) safeguard ou ....Waiting For Law: Land, Custom and Legal Regulation in East Timor. The project contributes to a national research priority: safeguarding Australia. Conflicts over customary lands have played important roles in the 'arc of instability' to our North, including in relation to natural resources (Aceh, West Papua, Bougainville) and land alienated or leased to "outsiders" (Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji). Developing an effective model for regulating customary lands in East Timor will (1) safeguard our considerable aid and military assistance contributions to East Timor, (2) serve Australia's interest in regional stability and sustainable development, and (3) offer potential comparative lessons for land and resource-related conflicts in Indonesia and the South Pacific.Read moreRead less
Transition to a clean energy future: the role of climate change litigation in shaping our regulatory path. As the world seeks a clean energy future, courts in Australia and other key fossil fuel-producing nations, like the United States, are increasingly hearing cases seeking to block the use of coal due to its climate change effects. This project critically assesses the role such climate litigation plays in generating regulatory momentum to address climate change.
States, Coalitions and Climate Change Governance. Australia will suffer a greater adverse effect from climate change than most other developed countries, yet it is also placed to do well as part of an effective global mitigation effort. The success of this mitigation effort will be crucially dependent on the co-operation of lead states. This project analyses the dynamics of climate change co-operation. It will have national benefit in helping Australia to understand the emerging coalitions that ....States, Coalitions and Climate Change Governance. Australia will suffer a greater adverse effect from climate change than most other developed countries, yet it is also placed to do well as part of an effective global mitigation effort. The success of this mitigation effort will be crucially dependent on the co-operation of lead states. This project analyses the dynamics of climate change co-operation. It will have national benefit in helping Australia to understand the emerging coalitions that will shape the future of climate change and how Australia might best mediate its influence internationally in order to secure effective climate change mitigation.Read moreRead less