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We use law as a tool to drive system change
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Law creates reality
More climate protection for all of us:
CLAW takes Mex M. to the ECtHR
A legal system that harms the climate, infringes fundamental rights and damages the economy is not fit for our future
A legal system that harms the climate, infringes fundamental rights and damages the economy is not fit for our future
Climate-damaging behaviour is promoted with subsidies
Climate targets are not binding
Climate protection is not sufficiently anchored in the law
No laws exist to ensure rights to climate protection and and to a healthy environment
We need climate lawsuits
Collective empowerment against climate-damaging behaviour and for climate-friendly measures
Collective empowerment against climate-damaging behaviour and for climate-friendly measures
Example: Climate Lawsuit URGENDA (NL)
The state was made to increase its CO2 reduction targets (from 20 to 25%). The government took several measures to put the ruling into force:
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Closure of a coal-fired power plant
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Reduction of the upper speed limit on motorways
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Introduction of several subsidy programs to support renewable energies and energy efficiency measures
Example: Climate lawsuit Neubauer (DE)
In response to the ruling, the federal legislature passed an amended climate protection law that requires a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by at least 65% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. It has been in force since 31 August 2021.
That is why CLAW utilises the power of climate litigation:
That is why CLAW utilises the power of climate litigation:
We show what rules and laws must look like for a future worth living in
We are driving systemic change instead of shifting responsibility onto individuals
This makes climate-friendly behaviour intuitive, cost-effective and simple
Recap
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First Austrian climate lawsuit
against climate-damaging tax exemptions for international flights and paraffin (VfGH) -
European climate action #MEX
against the violation of fundamental rights by the state's inaction on the climate crisis (ECtHR) -
Austrian climate action 2.0
Response to the rejection of the first climate lawsuit against climate-damaging subsidies, primarily concerning the lack of a possibility to appeal
Status quo
- In favour of binding climate protection
CLAW and twelve children file repeated complaints with the VFGH. - Climate action against EU taxonomy
CLAW challenges the award of a ‘green’ label for air and sea transport by the European Commission. - Making PV systems possible
CLAW joins forces with St. Pölten resident to challenge protection zone ordinance in the interests of the energy transition. - Against soil sealing
CLAW as a party to the EIA procedure for the ‘B68Neu’ motorway, representing individual farmers.
Team
Mag.a Michaela Krömer LL.M.
Attorney at law for climate, environmental and constitutional law
Chairwoman and founder
"Austria's most prominent climate lawyer" Falter 22/2021
Fundamental Rights Award awarded by the League for Human Rights (2021)
Initiator of the first climate change lawsuits in front of the ECtHR for Human Rights and the Austrian Constitutional Court
Mag. Florian Graber LL.M.
Climate & environmental lawyer
Expert in environmental and climate law
bar exam
LL.M in Global Environment and Climate Change Law
PhD student at JKU Linz.
Mag. (FH) Simon Schupp
Business management and partnerships
Entrepreneur with focus on company building & business development
Ex-Corporate Manager & Expert for New Mobility
Klara König
Communication & Public Relations
Bachelor in Psychology
Press spokesperson for Fridays For Future Austria
Experience in press relations, strategic communication and campaign planning
Annalena Sommer
Philanthropy Associate
MSc. (Business and Consumer) Psychology
Master's student in Environmental Studies & Sustainability Science in Lund (Sweden)
Experience in digital marketing, project development and fundraising
Advisory Board
Miriam Saage-Maaß
Lawyer & Legal Director (ECCHR)
Specializes in business and human rights. Conducts criminal proceedings against executives for international crimes and regularly publishes on corporate responsibility and human rights. Awarded the Hans Litten Prize 2016. Member of the Advisory Board of the Bonavero Human Rights Institute and CorA Network.
Femke Bartels
Global Managing Director & Partner, THNK School of Creative Leadership
Femke Bartels has dedicated her career to bringing about the change needed for a just and sustainable world.
She has worked in government, politics and has held several global roles at Greenpeace.
Gernot Wagner
Climate Economist & Senior Lecturer, Columbia Business School
Gernot Wagner is an Austrian American economist and author. He has taught and conducted research at Columbia Business School since 2022, working at New York University and Harvard University before that.
He co- authored “Climate Shock”, the Science Book of the Year 2017, with Martin L. Weitzman.
Lotte Leicht
Advocacy Director, Climate Rights International
Lotte Leicht is a Danish jurist who specializes in international human rights and humanitarian law, international criminal law, justice for serious international crimes, and in international advocacy. She serves on the Heinrich Boell Foundation ́s North-South advisory board, and she is serving on the Foundation ́s membership board. She also serves on the board of the Danish Institute Against Torture (Dignity). Lotte Leicht was Human Rights Watch’s European Union Director from 1994 to 2021.
Sébastien Jodoin
Ass. Prof. & Canada Research Chair in Human Rights, Health, and Environment
Founding Director of the Disability-Inclusive Climate Action Research Program, a ground-breaking initiative to generate, co-produce, and implement knowledge at the intersections of disability and climate justice. His work in the field of climate change has been cited by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Sony Kapoor
Professor, European University Institute
CEO, Nordic Institute for Finance, Technology and Sustainability
Sony Kapoor is an influential macroeconomist, finance expert, development specialist and sustainability adviser with a long track-record of successfully tackling policy, business, and societal challenges. He is CEO of the Nordic Institute for Finance, Technology & Sustainability, Professor of Climate, Geoeconomics & Finance at the European University Institute, Chief Economist for Worthwhile Capital Partners and a Senior Fellow in Sustainable Macro-finance at E3G. He Chairs Re-Define, is a Trustee of Friends of Europe, and sits on several other boards.
Philipp Blom
Writer and historian
Philipp Blom studied philosophy, history and Jewish studies in Vienna and Oxford. He writes regularly for European and American magazines and newspapers. Numerous awards, including a fellowship at the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles, the PremisInternacionals Terenci Moix, and the German Nonfiction Prize. His most recent publication is "Die Unterwerfung. Anfang und Ende der menschlichen Herrschaft über die Natur" (Hanser, 2022).
Prof. Dr. Stefan Perner
Head of Department Private Law at the Vienna University of Economics and Business
Stefan Perner is the Head of the Department of Private Law at the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU Wien). His research focuses on contract law, European private law, as well as banking and insurance law. He has received numerous awards for his research and teaching. In recent years, he has laid the focus of his academic work on the interplay of Private Law and Climate Crisis.
Smart start.
Big impact.
Why Austria?
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Narrow legal system with obvious lack of legal protection as potential for improvement
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Obvious and therefore contestable failures in climate protection
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Successful climate lawsuits in Austria as a role model for a dynamic, European change process (analogous to Urgenda NL)
Why CLAW?
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Proof of concept through successful climate lawsuits: reality instead of theory
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Legal proceedings instead of opportunistic announcements: Sustainable enforcement in practice
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Legal work: Effective solutions instead of activist campaigns
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Clear mission: identify the problem, develop solutions, achieve results
Support makes
the difference
Support
- To enable climate lawsuits actively and successfully
- To proactively help shape the legal system of the future
- To build a powerful team and structures
There is a world where the most climate-friendly behaviour feelsintuitive, easy and is the cheapest option.
Join us!
CLAW - initiative for climate justice
IBAN AT05 2011 1845 7393 7100
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