Democracy & The Environment Series VI: The Capacity of Democratic and Legal Institutions to Deliver Climate and Environmental Action
On 26 November 2024, UCD Dublin European Institute, along with UCD Earth Institute and UCD Centre for Democracy Research, hosted a Democracy & the Environment discussion seminar in the Museum of Literature, Dublin 2. In particular, this seminar discussed the Capacity of Democratic and Legal Institutions to Deliver Climate and Environmental Action. This interdisciplinary event, chaired by Professor Imelda Maher as Director of the UCD Dublin European Institute, facilitated discussion on the ways in which democratic and legal institutions can seek to address environmental protection and climate action.
Professor Aidan Regan from UCD School of Politics and International Relations, spoke of the ‘trilemma of advanced capitalism’ and the inherent trade-offs between economic growth and climate action. Dr Andrew Jackson of UCD Sutherland School of Law discussed the position of the law in advancing environmental action. Niamh Garvey from The National Economic Social and Environmental Council (NESC) spoke on the role that NESC plays in advising government in this key policy area, and on the importance of civil society involvement.
