Napier University student wins essay competition on climate change and the law

An Edinburgh Napier University student has won a competition for their views on the law and climate change.

Lewis Hay, a second year LLB student, has won the Law Society of Scotland competition which challenged law students in Scotland to put forward their views on climate change and the law for the competition held to mark COP26 taking place in Glasgow from 1-12 November 2021.

Lewis will receive £100 and a place at the Law Society’s COP26 conference on 29 October in Edinburgh, which he can attend in person or online. Two runners up Oliver Rolph and Fabrizio Palmucci, both students at the University of Dundee, will receive online access to the conference.

Ken Dalling, President of the Law Society of Scotland, said: “Many congratulations to Lewis on his win and to our runners up Oliver and Fabrizio.

“Lewis is a deserving winner for his persuasive essay on why a universal definition of Ecocide could have the potential to be an effective legal instrument in addressing climate change.

“COP26 is being held at a time when the effect of climate change globally is all too evident. There is no doubt the legal profession will increasingly be called upon to advise our clients on climate crisis issues, and of course we each have a personal interest in doing what we can to help meet the Paris Agreement aims of limiting global warming.

“The effects of climate change will have a longer lasting impact on our young people and in the run up to COP26 it is important that they can be part of the discussions on climate change and the law.”

Read the winning entry and find out more about the Law Society’s work in advance of COP26 in Glasgow in November on our website.