The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive | 2025*

The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive

This book is the first to offer a detailed and comprehensive examination of the legal frameworks surrounding net zero and nature positive goals. While its primary focus is on the legal system in England and Wales, it also explores the broader national and international legal landscape, including key UK and European legislation such as the Climate Change Act 2008 and the Environment Act 2021. It explains how these legal duties are applied across various economic sectors.

Recognising that climate change is a global issue, the book highlights how international law and policy influence national legal responsibilities. It also places a strong emphasis on biodiversity, acknowledging its deep interconnection with climate change. Because nature is often overlooked in legal discourse, the book seeks to integrate legal obligations for both net zero and nature positive outcomes, helping practitioners, policy-makers, and others take a more holistic approach when tackling these critical challenges.

Topics covered span a wide range of fields, including planning and environmental law, property, environmental activism, public international law, finance and commerce, taxation, and construction.

The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive is an essential reference for a diverse audience across the public and private sectors—particularly legal professionals, policy-makers, NGOs, and academic researchers.

Table of Contents of The Law of Net Zero and Nature Positive

Foreword by the Rt Hon Lord Dyson
About the Editors and Contributors
Contents
Table of Cases
Table of Legislation

PART I: INTRODUCTION
Chapter 1. Net Zero and Nature Positive, by Stephanie David
Chapter 2. Overarching Legal Framework, by Ella Grodzinski and Stephanie David
Chapter 3. Environmental Principles, by Stephanie David
Chapter 4. Domestic Regulators, Advisors and Other Public Authorities, by Stephanie David

PART II: PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL
Chapter 5. Land Use Planning, by Christopher Moss
Chapter 6. Nationally Significant Infrastructure, by Daniel Kozelko and Stephanie David
Chapter 7. Environmental Impact Assessments, by Ruth Keating
Chapter 8. Overview of the Law and Policy of Nature Positive, by Eleanor Leydon and Stephanie David
Chapter 9. Protected Areas, by Victoria Hutton and Eleanor Leydon
Chapter 10. Biodiversity Net Gain, by Ned Helme
Chapter 11. Local Nature Recovery Strategies, by Eleanor Leydon
Chapter 12. Agriculture and Land Use, by Eleanor Leydon and Daniel Kozelko
Chapter 13. Environmental Permitting, by Jake Thorold
Chapter 14. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading, by Jake Thorold
Chapter 15. Facilitating the Energy Transition, by Daniel Kozelko
Chapter 16. Types of Renewable Energy Generation, by Daniel Kozelko, Stephanie David and Ella Grodzinski
Chapter 17. Transition from Fossil Fuels, by Stephanie David, Gethin Thomas and Daniel Kozelko
Chapter 18. Transport, by Philippa Jackson and Gethin Thomas
Chapter 19. Water, by Philippa Jackson and Celia Reynolds

PART III: PROPERTY
Chapter 20. Implications of Climate Change for Property Rights and Obligations, by David Sawtell
Chapter 21. Net Zero and Adaptation Policies Relevant to Residential and Commercial Property, by Alexander Burrell
Chapter 22. Green Leases and Sustainable Buildings, by Niraj Modha
Chapter 23. Conservation Covenants, by Rebecca Cattermole
Chapter 24. Agricultural Holdings, by Rebecca Cattermole
Chapter 25. Property-Based and Other Torts, by Ashley Pratt
Chapter 26. Property Legal Advice, Insurance and Climate Risk, by Ashley Pratt

PART IV: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTEST
Chapter 27. Environmental Protest, by Rachel Sullivan

PART V: PUBLIC INTERNATIONAL LAW
Chapter 28. Public International Law, by Grace Cheng, Vivek Kapoor and Christopher Staker

PART VI: COMMERCIAL AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
Chapter 29. The Role of Finance in Achieving Net Zero Nature Positive, by Juan Lopez, Joe-han Ho and Philippe Kuhn
Chapter 30. ESG, Disclosure and Reporting, by David Hopkins
Chapter 31. Contractual Drafting, by Rebecca Drake and Celia Reynolds
Chapter 32. Consumer Protection, by Hannah McCarthy and Alexander Burrell
Chapter 33. Enforcement and Relaxation of Corporate Responsibilities, by James Shaerf and Anna Lintner

PART VII: FISCAL MEASURES
Chapter 34. Government Funding: Fiscal Measures and Subsidies, by Kelly Stricklin-Coutinho, Alexander Burrell and Rachel Sullivan

PART VIII: CONSTRUCTION
Chapter 35. Construction: Overview, by Camilla ter Haar
Chapter 36. Statutory Framework, Standards and Industry Guidance, by Melissa Shipley
Chapter 37. Construction Phase, by Hannah Fry
Chapter 38. Retrofitting, by Ruth Keating
Chapter 39. Insurance and Construction, by Hannah McCarthy
Chapter 40. Measurement, by Patrick Hennessey
Chapter 41. Construction Professionals and the Duty to Advise on Net Zero and Climate Change, by Marion Smith KC, Ruth Keating and Camilla ter Haar

Index