Multi-dimensional Role of Legislatures in law-making oversight and representation on the global climate change crisis

Abstract

Legislatures from various jurisdictions have in the recent-past legislated valuable Legislations to avert the Climate crisis. Parliaments, being the law-making branch of governments possess the requisite human and legal resources to make even greater contribution to governance, policies and laws on Climate Change and Planetary Health to achieve climate justice. This Paper examines the multi-dimensional role played by Legislatures in law-making, oversight and representation on matters relating to the global climate change crisis and recommends measures which may be adopted by global Parliaments to (a) combat the climate crisis by drafting a model global law to facilitate national Legislatures in enactment of synchronized laws on Climate Change and Planetary Health, (b) broaden the impact of laws on Climate Change and Planetary Health through consistent oversight of governance and progress on implementation of model global laws on Climate Change and Planetary Health and, (c) facilitate national Legislatures in amending prevailing national laws to make provision for legislation on standardized punitive measures for offences against nature, specifically sanctions and fines for acts or omissions that are detrimental to the gains realized through the on- going global efforts to combat Climate Change and promote Planetary Health