Project Overview

Climate crisis is acknowledged in high level political, environmental, economic forums, and in evolving corporate guidelines. The concepts of ‘green economy’ and ‘circular economy’ have been framed to address climate and environment with the continuation of economic and commercial activities. The European Union, for instance, has adopted the European Green Deal with its vision to be the first climate-neutral continent. In 2023, it has implemented Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, a tool to impose carbon tax on imported goods based on a calculation of carbon emission and pricing in production of goods and extraction of raw materials. The crucial legal, political, and moral question behind the unilateral green policies is whether the burden of climate action is imposed disproportionately on poor countries, such as least developed, low income and small island developing countries, who are on the edge of climate crisis, have historically little to no contribution to climate crisis, but must accept the carbon pricing set unilaterally. For a greater and deeper understanding of whether the responses to climate action ensure climate, environmental and social justice and human rights, the environmental and climate policies at national and regional levels in multilateral, preferential and free trade agreements, bilateral investment treaties, trade and investment disputes and in the method employed in carbon quantification needs to be critically examined. At the same time, we need to examine the role of corporations, including extractive industry and global retailers, who are the crucial players in global value chains in shaping and responding to emerging climate policies and laws. 

Aims

The project aims to critically examine the role of international, regional and domestic laws and policies to respond to climate crisis. It examines the carbon calculation mechanism for a greater inclusivity in the calculation.

Objectives

The project will make recommendation so that climate laws and policies promote social and environmental justice, equity and human rights across countries with unequal economies and across present and future generations.

Significance

The research project on evolving legal regime of climate policies addresses SDG 13 – climate action, SDG 10 – reduced inequalities, SDG 16 – peace, justice and strong institutions and SDG 17 – partnerships for the goals.

The project will advance Curtin Law School’s Strategy of Planet: Sustainable future by establishing clear connection between HDR research and UN SDGs. The suitable candidate can utilise the Law School’s resources through auditing Legal Research and other relevant elective units, such as International Commercial Law at European Summer School at the University of Ghent, Energy Governance and Environmental Law.

An internship may be available for this project. The project will facilitate internship with a leading law firm such as Allens, Carbon Market Institute, or KPMG for understanding the regulation of carbon market.

• Future Students

• Faculty of Business and Law

• Higher Degree by Research

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• International Student

• Merit Based

The annual scholarship package, covering both stipend and tuition fees, amounts to approximately $70,000 per year.

In 2024, the RTP stipend scholarship offers $35,000 per annum for a duration of up to three years. Exceptional progress and adherence to timelines may qualify students for a six-month completion scholarship.

Selection for these scholarships involves a competitive process, with shortlisted applicants notified of outcomes by November 2024.

1

All applicable HDR courses.

We are looking for a self-motivated PhD candidate with excellent legal research and project management skills. Candidates with understanding of International Economic Law and International Environmental Law are desired for this project. Must be eligible to enrol in PhD programs at Curtin.

 

Please send your CV, academic transcripts and brief rationale why you want to join this research project via the HDR Expression of Interest form to the project lead researcher, listed below. 

You must be enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research Course at Curtin University by March 2025.

Project Lead: Dr Sharmin Tania