Jean Piette contributes to a landmark case before the International Court of Justice

Recently, BCF counsel Jean Piette participated in an unprecedented initiative at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands.

Following a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, the International Court of Justice (“ICJ”) was asked to produce an advisory opinion on the obligation of States in the international community in the fight against climate change.

Accordingly, as part of this history-making process, a committee of experts consisting of fourteen legal scholars from six countries, including Jean Piette, drafted an exhaustive “amicus curiae” brief, under the aegis of the International Centre for Comparative Environmental Law (“CIDCE”), to assist the Court in preparing its advisory opinion on the matter.

In addition to analyzing the current state of international law with respect to climate-change treaties, this brief also examines other treaties that may be tied to climate change, for example, the protection of human rights or the protection of marine environments.

Jean Piette, who has more than 50 years of professional experience in environmental and climate change law in both the public and private sectors, was the architect and author of Québec’s first wave of environmental laws and regulations. His priceless expertise continues to be a boon to our clients.

This latest contribution, in a matter of global importance, is yet another milestone in his remarkable career and bears witness to the breadth of his expertise in environmental law.