Yesterday (April 28, 2025) In a powerful and deeply insightful address, the Hon’ble Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Dr. Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, delivered a keynote lecture at New York University Abu Dhabi, titled “Climate Justice and the Constitution: Reflections from the Global South.”
The event brought together an eminent gathering of jurists, academics, legal practitioners, and aspiring law students from around the world. Moderated by Professor Pavlos Eleftheriadis, Professor of Legal Studies at NYU Abu Dhabi, the session offered a comprehensive exploration of the intersection between constitutionalism, human rights, and climate change, especially from the vantage point of vulnerable nations like Bangladesh.
Chief Justice Refaat Ahmed emphasized that the climate crisis is not only a planetary emergency but also a profound justice crisis, highlighting the disproportionate suffering of developing nations despite their negligible contribution to historical carbon emissions.
He traced the evolution of the concept of climate justice, from early environmental justice movements in the United States to global advocacy efforts such as the People’s Agreement of Cochabamba and the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth. Drawing from Bangladesh’s constitutional innovations, the Chief Justice underscored the nation’s commitment to environmental protection under its Constitution.
He lauded the judiciary’s proactive stance in translating these aspirational principles into enforceable rights through landmark decisions ensuring environmental standards in hazardous industries like ship-breaking. Citing pivotal judgments, including his own contributions in environmental public interest litigation cases, Justice Ahmed showcased Bangladesh’s jurisprudential leadership in embedding ecological rights within the fundamental rights framework. He also placed Bangladesh’s efforts within the broader South Asian and global contexts, comparing constitutional approaches in Argentina, Vietnam, South Africa, and others.
The Chief Justice did not shy away from addressing global shortcomings. He critically assessed the limited enforceability of the Paris Agreement and underscored the urgent need for robust financial and legal mechanisms to support climate-vulnerable countries. Highlighting climate-induced migration, the loss and damage discourse, and the imperative for a global fiduciary standard to hold polluters accountable, Justice Ahmed called for a paradigm shift toward eco-centric constitutionalism.
He advocated for legal frameworks that protect displaced populations’ right to life, shelter, and livelihoods in the face of extreme environmental events. In a rallying message to the next generation of jurists, he urged law schools like NYU Abu Dhabi to spearhead a renaissance in legal thought that honors the ecological balance essential for human flourishing. “Climate justice is no longer a deferred ideal.
It is a constitutional imperative,” he declared, concluding his speech with a call to action for a new generation of lawyers and judges who will legislate, advocate, and adjudicate for the planet.
The lecture was received with resounding acclaim, sparking a dynamic dialogue among students and participants eager to explore further pathways for law and justice in the age of climate change.
