Environmental Law and Policy

As the Supreme Court wraps up another blockbuster term, Harvard Law School faculty members reflect on the ways the justices’ most recent decisions might reshape the law.

Harvard Law faculty members share their thoughts on where the Supreme Court justices ultimately landed on prominent cases — and on the longer-term implications of the Court’s decisions.

During a discussion led by Harvard Law School Professors Richard Lazarus and Jody Freeman, a panel of legal and government experts addressed the prospects for U.S. climate law over the next five years.

Harvard Law expert Ari Peskoe explains how new federal energy rules might impact how Americans tap into the electricity grid and predicts legal challenges from opponents.

“Seize your newfound power, your influence, your hearts, and your expertise and put it to good use,” United States Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland urged graduating Harvard Law School students at the 2024 Class Day ceremony.

Harvard Law’s Jody Freeman, Richard Lazarus, Andrew Mergen, and Carrie Jenks discuss the impact alumnus Dan Emmett’s $15 million gift to establish the Emmett Environmental Law Center will have for students, faculty, staff, and environmental law practitioners nationwide.

A gift by alumnus Dan Emmett ’64 and the Emmett Foundation will bolster the work of the law school’s Environmental Law and Policy Clinic and Environmental and Energy Law Program.

James Pollack ’20 discusses the impact of first-ever federal rules on “forever chemicals” in drinking water.

Richard Lazarus sees the Supreme Court's conservative majority as threat to environmental protections developed over past half century.

‘Inclusive climate-resilient development benefits the diverse global population, including people with disabilities,’ says Michael Ashley Stein of the Harvard Law School Project on Disability.

Harvard Law expert Memme Onwudiwe explains the biggest extraterrestrial issues and controversies in space law — and why lawyers should pay attention.

As climate change and usage threaten water in the West, Supreme Court’s decision in a notable case carries weight, says Harvard Law environmental expert Andrew Mergen.

Harvard Law expert Richard Lazarus believes that the outcome of Ohio v. EPA could say a lot about U.S. future efforts to regulate air pollution.

Jody Freeman pinpoints the key question in the case before the Supreme Court: ‘Who decides when laws aren’t clear — courts or agencies?’

Clinical Instructor Aminta Ossom ’09 and Taryn Shanes ’25 traveled to Geneva to present recommendations from the International Human Rights Clinic’s recent report, “When the Water Runs Dry: Human Rights, Climate Change and Deepening Water Inequality in Delhi, India,” at the United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights.

Mary Hollingsworth has been named director of Harvard Law School’s Animal Law & Policy Clinic, effective Jan. 1.

Access to water for residents of Delhi, India’s unplanned communities is dire and likely to get worse because of climate change, concludes a new report from the International Human Rights Clinic.

Harvard Law’s Richard Lazarus says that while the pro-environment ruling in Held v. Montana is a reason to celebrate, the impact could be limited.