Activities and events

Full title: The ocean-climate nexus: Human rights implications of the climate change advisory opinions for fossil fuels businesses

On 16 March 2026, the A2J Lab hosted 'The ocean–climate nexus: Human rights implications of the climate change advisory opinions for fossil fuel businesses' seminar, delivered by Professor Sara L Seck. The talk examined the implications of recent international climate advisory opinions for business and human rights, with a particular focus on fossil fuel production and the marine environment.

Professor Seck explored how, despite the absence of explicit engagement with international human rights law in the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)’s Climate Advisory Opinion, accompanying declarations suggest that the opinion is nevertheless motivated by human rights concerns.

Read together with the International Court of Justice (ICJ)’s Climate Advisory Opinion, and briefly that of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, these developments point to an emerging convergence between climate obligations, ocean governance and human rights protection.

The discussion highlighted how the ICJ’s finding that state responsibility may arise from a failure to take appropriate action to protect the climate system, including in relation to greenhouse gas emissions associated with fossil fuel production, consumption and exploration, can be read alongside ITLOS’ detailed clarification of state obligations under the law of the sea.

As greenhouse gas emissions constitute pollution of the marine environment and contribute to ocean warming and sea level rise, participants considered how closer attention to human rights at the ocean–climate nexus may inform:

• the state duty to protect human rights in the context of climate change and marine environmental harm
• the business responsibility to respect human rights, particularly for fossil fuel businesses
• questions of access to justice in relation to ocean–climate harms.

The seminar contributed to ongoing dialogue on the evolving legal landscape at the intersection of climate change, ocean protection, and business and human rights.

Watch the webinar recording here.

On 9 December, Strategic Human Rights Litigation in Australia was launched in Sydney’s distinguished Banco Court, marking a significant contribution to Australia’s human rights landscape. Edited by Dr Ebony Birchall, Deputy Director of the A2J Lab, the book is the first to examine the theory and practice of promoting human rights through Australian courts.

Macquarie University’s A2J Lab, Ethics and Agency Research Centre, and Environmental Law Research Centre proudly co-hosted the launch with The Federation Press.

Held on the eve of International Human Rights Day, the event drew more than 150 attendees and encouraged reflection on achievements to date and future directions for strategic litigation. An opening address was delivered by Hugh de Kretser, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission and author of the book’s foreword. Ebony Birchall then chaired a panel with contributing authors Nicki Lees, Maria Nawaz and Craig Longman, who shared insights into the opportunities and limitations of pursuing systemic reform through the courts.

This collection features contributions from over 20 leading Australian human rights experts. Its first half explores the design and conduct of strategic litigation, while the second presents thematic chapters on issues including First Nations rights, climate change, and police accountability. Of particular relevance to the A2J Lab’s focus is Chapter 10 authored by our Deputy Directors, Ebony Birchall and David Birchall, with Oscar McLaren. This chapter provides an overview of the field of Business and Human Rights, explores how human rights abuses linked to Australian companies have been litigated, and explains the challenges associated with this type of litigation.

Together, these contributions provide a shared framework for understanding, critiquing, and advancing strategic litigation in Australia. Explore the chapters and purchase Strategic Human Rights Litigation in Australia from The Federation Press.

On 26–27 August, the A2J Lab co-organised the inaugural United Nations Business and Human Rights Regional Forum: Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne. The forum brought together representatives from government, business, the investment community, academia, civil society, trade unions, Indigenous Peoples and other affected groups. The theme focused on strengthening responsible business practices in turbulent times, aiming to shape the future of business and human rights (BHR) in Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Key discussions addressed:

• the future of modern slavery reporting requirements and mandatory human rights due diligence
• advancing respect for Indigenous Peoples' rights and cultural heritage
• overcoming obstacles to achieving a just transition in response to the climate and nature crises
• harnessing responsible AI and other technological developments
• enabling tangible positive outcomes for affected people across complex global supply chains.

On the first day of the forum, the A2J Lab co-convened the inaugural Australia-New Zealand Business and Human Rights (BHR) Research Workshop. Supported by Professor Robert McCorquodale of the UN Working Group on BHR, the workshop was led by the Lab’s Director Professor Surya Deva, Associate Professor Jonathan Kolieb (RMIT University), and Professor Justine Nolan (UNSW).

It brought together leading academics and researchers from across the region and internationally, who examined topical BHR issues and developments. Selected participants presented papers and work-in-progress projects in an interdisciplinary, collaborative setting.

The A2J Lab co-organised this forum with:

• RMIT University Business and Human Rights Centre
• UN Global Compact Network Australia
• UNSW Australian Human Rights Institute
• UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights
• World Vision New Zealand.

On 21 August 2025, the A2J Lab hosted a seminar on 'The responsibilities of financial institutions: From human rights to climate and conflicts’. The seminar was delivered by Professor Robert McCorquodale, member of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and drew on the Group’s report Investors, ESG and Human Rights.

Participants explored the roles and responsibilities of financial institutions to respect human rights, particularly in relation to climate change and corporate engagement in conflicts. The discussion highlighted the:

• considerable leverage financial institutions generally have to influence companies to implement their responsibility to respect human rights
• increasing promotion of environmental, social and governance (ESG) investments by financial institutions.

The seminar opened dialogue ahead of the inaugural UN Business and Human Rights Regional Forum – Australia and New Zealand, themed ‘Strengthening responsible business practices in turbulent times’.

On 13 March 2025, the A2J Lab held a webinar on ‘The future of business and human rights under the Trump Administration’. The webinar was moderated by Professor Surya Deva, the A2J Lab's Director, featuring panellists:

• Joanne Bauer, Co-Founder of Rights CoLab
• Marti Flacks, BHR practitioner and former United States Government official.

This moderated conversation addressed the following topical questions:

• How are the business and human rights initiatives in the United States (US) likely to change under the new US Administration?
• Will the Trump Administration's stance towards business and human rights have impacts on legal and policy initiatives beyond US borders?
• Are US businesses and investors able to speak out for human rights, diversity, equity and inclusion, and climate change?

Watch the webinar recording on our YouTube channel.

On 19 February 2025, Macquarie University’s A2J Lab and Environmental Law Research Centre together with the World Benchmarking Alliance, co-organised a multi-stakeholder roundtable on ‘Australia’s role in advancing human rights and sustainability in Asia Pacific supply chains’.

Business leaders, investors, academics, civil society representatives, and human rights and policy experts gathered at our City Campus for a day of insightful discussions. Lynn Bell, Australian Ambassador to Counter Modern Slavery, People Smuggling and Human Trafficking, set the tone with a powerful keynote address.

In addition to the expert panel discussions and multi-stakeholder dialogue, the roundtable featured the launch of an A2J Lab’s report, which assessed the commitments of 25 of Australia’s largest companies to respect human rights. To learn more about the report findings, read our article in The Conversation .

Participants explored collaborative opportunities to advance corporate accountability, tackle challenges like modern slavery, and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in the Asia Pacific. The aim was to foster stronger partnerships and collective actions that support a just and equitable future for all.

On 4 February 2025, Macquarie University’s A2J Lab and Environmental Law Research Centre held a seminar on ‘The prospects of the UN Loss and Damage Fund: Between utopia and reality’. The hybrid seminar was delivered by Professor Jernej Letnar Černič (Professor of Human Rights Law at the Faculty of Government and European Studies, Nova Univerza, Slovenia).

The UN Loss and Damage Fund serves as a financial mechanism to compensate countries adversely impacted by climate change, for related losses and damages that cannot be remedied through mitigation and adaptation measures. The Fund also aims to create non-financial incentives and capacity to rebuild countries and help vulnerable communities.

The seminar addressed the following questions:

• Stakeholders and foundations: Who are the rights-holders and duty-holders, and what are the Fund’s normative underpinnings, legal scope and nature?
• Purpose and function: Is the Fund preventive or mainly compensatory for the most affected States’ losses and damages?
• Governance and credibility: What overarching principles should guide the Fund to ensure credibility, legitimacy and equality in assisting affected countries?

Watch the webinar recording on our YouTube channel.

On 10 October 2024, Macquarie University’s A2J Lab and Environmental Law Research Centre hosted representatives of Indigenous Brazilian groups impacted by the Mariana Dam disaster and their lawyers from Pogust Goodhead, before their English High Court case against Australian mining giant BHP commenced.

At this event, Chief Maycon Krenak, leader of the Krenak people, and Thatiele Monic, leader of the Quilombola communities, shared their stories about the destruction of the Rio Doce. We heard first-hand how their lives and traditions have been severely impacted, and the threats they continue to face from mining activities nearly a decade later. Thomas Goodhead, Global Managing Partner and CEO, and Felipe Hotta, Partner of Latin America cases, of Pogust Goodhead provided insight into the legal battle to seek compensation for affected people.

The Mariana Dam disaster is the worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history and has triggered the world’s largest environmental class action lawsuit. Pogust Goodhead, is representing circa 720,000 affected rightsholders in the English and Dutch courts against mining companies BHP and Vale SA. As of mid-2025, judgements are still pending.

To learn more about the Mariana Dam disaster, class actions and corporate accountability, read our article in The Conversation.

On 8 October 2024, the A2J Lab held a seminar on ‘Leveraging technology to address modern slavery’. The seminar featured Kimberly Randle, Co-Founder and CEO of Fair Supply, a globally recognised and fast growing ESG risk intelligence and compliance solution.

Kimberly and A2J Lab Deputy Director, Ebony Birchall, delivered a compelling discussion on the transformative role of technology in identifying and prioritising human rights risks within an organisation’s global supply chain. Drawing on Fair Supply’s extensive work, Kim highlighted how technology can be harnessed to support fit-for-purpose due diligence and risk mitigation frameworks to raise awareness to modern slavery risks.

On 19 June 2024, the A2J Lab hosted a civil society dialogue with Fernanda Hopenhaym, Vice Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights. This event provided an opportunity for members of civil society organisations and academia to engage with Fernanda in an informal environment.

Participants exchanged views on the business and human rights (BHR) landscape in Australia and beyond. Participants gained insight into BHR in practice and the operations of the UN Working Group on BHR, particularly, their next report on protecting and respecting the rights of LGBTI+ persons in the context of business activities.