Creating a cadre of environmental lawyers for tomorrow

Environmental degradation is no longer a distant threat; it is a lived reality that affects us all, albeit unevenly. Across the country, we are confronted daily with polluted air, disappearing forests, contaminated rivers and a rapidly warming climate. And yet, our legal systems - both in terms of jurisprudence and practice - are still catching up.

In this context, the introduction of a specialised LL.M. course in Environmental Law, Energy and Climate Change comes as a welcome and long-overdue development.

I have had the privilege of being involved with this programme since its inception. From its formal inauguration to informal interactions with its students and faculty, I have seen the course grow from a bold idea into a robust academic offering. The objective is clear and compelling: to build a dedicated cadre of lawyers who are equipped to deal with the multi-dimensional challenges of environmental protection and climate justice.

This course is unique in both structure and spirit. It is the result of a collaborative effort between Jindal Global Law School (JGLS) and the Centre for Environmental Law at WWF-India, which brings to the table decades of practical experience and field-based knowledge.

Too often, legal education is confined within the four walls of the classroom, widening the gap between theory and practice. This course breaks that mould. It creates a space where legal theory meets ecological realities, where case law is discussed alongside climate science, and where statutes are not seen merely as text, but as tools for social and environmental transformation. It is not a coincidence that this programme was developed in close consultation with academics, practitioners, policy thinkers and conservationists. The problems we face today - be it desertification, deforestation or the loss of traditional livelihoods - require interdisciplinary thinking. The LL.M. course provides exactly that kind of training.

One of the most impressive aspects of the programme is its pedagogy. From the outset, I have had the chance to be part of the learning journey of these students - whether through lectures, seminars or mentoring sessions. I have been struck by their depth of inquiry and their willingness to engage with complex legal and ethical issues.

This is not a passive classroom. Students are encouraged to ask questions, challenge assumptions and explore legal solutions beyond conventional boundaries.

The curriculum itself is dynamic, updated regularly to reflect new developments - both in environmental law and in related fields such as energy policy, climate governance and indigenous rights. Importantly, it does not confine students to theoretical learning. They are trained to apply their research in practical contexts - whether it be drafting policy documents, preparing legal briefs or appearing before judicial and quasi-judicial bodies. This is a generation of lawyers being prepared not just to argue in courtrooms, but also to foresee issues, prevent environmental damage before it occurs and design sustainable solutions for the future.

Another critical strength of this programme is its emphasis on scale - both large and small. We are all too familiar with the judgments of the Supreme Court and High Courts on environmental matters. While these are essential and often ground-breaking, the real challenge lies in translating those principles into everyday practice. Students in this programme are taught to appreciate the importance of small, localised interventions. They learn that environmental justice is not achieved solely through landmark litigation, but also by addressing the unnoticed, the neglected and the ordinary.

Take, for example, the issue of plastic waste clogging urban drainage systems or the unregulated use of borewells in water-stressed districts. These are not headline-grabbing issues, but they are real and pressing. If left unaddressed, they can lead to environmental collapse at the micro level, which then builds up to larger systemic failures. Students are trained to recognise such issues, frame the right legal questions and propose workable remedies. They are taught to approach these problems with what I call a “judicial mind” - a mindset that is analytical but empathetic, firm but fair, and always mindful of the broader public interest.

Not every environmental intervention requires sweeping legal reform. Sometimes, a simple and timely petition before a local authority, or a well-researched memorandum to a government department, can lead to significant change. It is this blend of ambition and pragmatism that defines the graduates of this course. They are not only capable of engaging in high-level legal battles over coal blocks or river interlinking projects, but also in day-to-day conservation efforts - be it the protection of a local pond, the preservation of a sacred grove or the reduction of vehicular pollution in a small town.

In many ways, this course is a reflection of the evolving nature of environmental law itself. We are no longer dealing with isolated acts of pollution or encroachment. We are dealing with interconnected crises - biodiversity loss, food insecurity, forced migration and climate-induced disasters. Addressing these challenges requires lawyers who are not only legally literate, but also ecologically sensitive and socially conscious. That is the kind of lawyer this programme is striving to produce.

We must also recognise that environmental litigation and advocacy come with their own risks - financial, emotional and even physical. Persevering in this field requires more than legal skill; it requires a deep commitment to justice and to the planet. It is equally important to remember that environmental protection is not the responsibility of lawyers alone. Conservation is, at its core, a collective endeavour. Everyone, regardless of background or profession, has a role to play in safeguarding our shared environment. I am heartened to see that this course does not shy away from these difficult truths. Instead, it equips its students to meet them head-on with resilience, integrity and vision.

As I look back on my own years in the judiciary and my engagement with environmental matters, I am convinced that such programmes are not just desirable, they are essential. We owe it to future generations to leave behind a planet that is not only habitable, but also just. For that, we need laws. But more than that, we need lawyers who care and who are prepared. This LL.M. course offers both the tools and the inspiration for that journey.

Enrol in the LL.M. in Environmental Law, Energy, and Climate Change Law (in association with WWF-India) at JGLS.

Justice Madan Lokur is a former judge of the Supreme Court of India and a former judge of the Supreme Court of Fiji. He is presently the Chair of the United Nations Internal Justice Council. He has been actively involved in judicial and academic initiatives related to environmental justice.

This is a sponsored article.