Environmental Law Experts Discuss Legal Aspects of Climate Change at WCL

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Nov. 2, 2006) – American University Washington College of Law will host the second annual “Legal Dimensions of Climate Change Conference,” to discuss the latest developments in Environmental Law and policy, with a focus on risks and opportunities for the private sector in the face of climate change. The conference will be held in Room 603 of the law school, 4801 Massachusetts Ave., NW, from 8:15 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Climate change continues to capture the attention of policy makers and the public, and lawyers are playing an increasingly active role as governments and corporations devise responses. Panelists from the private and non-profit sectors will explore U.S. and international litigation related to climate change, the future of energy project development, and emissions trading markets. The event will also address risk assessment and other approaches to business planning for the corporate sector.

Agenda

8:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks
• Kyle Danish, Van Ness Feldman, adjunct professor, AU WCL

9 a.m. Session One: Climate Change and Litigation
• Kevin Healy (Moderator), Bryan Cave, LLP
Lawsuits in the United States:
• Norm Fichthorn, Hunton & Williams
• Peter Lehner, chief of Environmental Protection Bureau, New York Attorney General’s Office
International Litigation:
• Donald Goldberg, Center for International Environmental Law
• Prakash Sharma, executive director, Pro Bono Public, Friends of the Earth, Nepal

10:45 a.m. Session Two: Climate Change and Energy Product Development
• Steve Humes, McCarter & English (Moderator)
Conventional Energy Projects:
• Ken Berlin, Skadden Arps
• William Bumpers, Baker Botts
Integrating Carbon in Mainstream Financing:
• Kruskaia Sierra-Escalante, International Finance Corporation
• Vikram Widge, International Finance Corporation
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12 p.m. Networking Lunch

1 p.m. Session Three: Emissions Trading Transactions
• Mary Anne Sullivan, Hogan & Hartson (Moderator)
Transactions under the Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation:
• Chris Carr, The World Bank
Transactions in the European Union Emissions Trading System:
• Claude Brown, Clifford Chance
Transactions in Voluntary Markets:
• Rick Saines, Baker & MacKenzie

2 p.m. Session Four: Climate Change and Business Planning
• Michael Gerrard, Arnold & Porter (Moderator)
“Carbon Due Diligence” for Transactions, Projects, and M&A:
• Steve Kass, Carter Ledyard
Officer Liability:
• David Buente, Sidley Austin
Corporate Governance and Climate Change:
• Ann Kelly, director of Governance Programs, Ceres

American University Washington College of Law is fast becoming a leader in the environmental legal world, and is home to the Environmental Law Program; the International Environmental Law Summer Session; the LL.M. specialization in Environmental Law; and the Environmental Law Society. WCL also publishes the Sustainable Development Law and Policy Journal. Among the registrants for this conference are practitioners from more than 20 D.C. law firms, as well as attendees from the Science Committee, U.S. House of Representatives; U.S. Department of the Interior; U.S. Department of Energy; National Resources Defense Council; Interstate Environmental Commission; Liability/Resolution Strategies; International Finance Corporation; General Motors Corporation; Defenders of Wildlife; International Labor Organization; Inside EPA; Environmental Law Institute; Tanzania Human Rights Commission; National Association for Clean Air; Fairfax County Police Department; ENVIRON International Corporation; Model Forestry Policy program; Clear Air Task Force; Greenpeace; and Point Carbon.

The event is co-sponsored by the ABA Section on Environment, Energy and Natural Resources; ABA Section of Business Law; ABA Section of International Law; DC Bar Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Section; New York State Bar Association Environmental Law Section; Center for International Environmental Law; and the Environmental Law Institute.

Continuing Legal Education credits are available for this event. To arrange for these, contact the Office of Special Events and Continuing Legal Education, 202-274-4075. For media assistance, contact the Office of Public Relations, 202-274-4279.

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Contact Information

Korin Munsterman

Director, Office of Technology

AU Washington College of Law

Contact via E-mail