The Transnational Environmental Law Clinic at VLGS
Overview
Welcome to the Transnational Environmental Law (TEL) Clinic at Vermont Law and Graduate School’s U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law (PEL). The TEL Clinic provides an applied opportunity for you to learn transnational environmental law, as well as legal and other professional skills while working with our clients and project partners.
The projects will support PEL’s partnering organizations’ environmental advocacy and legal reform work on the ground, offering students the opportunity to engage deeply with key themes in environmental governance, including Just Transition in Climate Governance, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Public Participation, and Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources and Traditional Knowledge (ABS). Through this work, students will learn about specific environmental challenges and the gaps in laws and policies in these countries, applying theories and concepts learned in the classroom to real-world contexts.
Partner organizations include environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government agencies, prosecutors, and law scholars. By working on cases and projects that address these critical themes, students will develop advanced competencies, gain valuable experience in international environmental law, and contribute meaningfully to the promotion of environmental justice and sustainability across Asia.
Students enrolled in the Advanced Transnational Environmental Law Clinic ( Adv TELC) will build on the knowledge and skills they developed in the initial TELC course, deepening their engagement with complex environmental law and policy issues in a transnational context. Students will be exposed to new material and concepts and will be expected to develop advanced competencies and take on greater responsibility in their projects.
The Advanced TELC also provides students with the opportunity to work on cases and projects that are at different stages or raise new and challenging issues not encountered in the initial TELC course. This may include collaborating with government institutions, non-governmental organizations, lawyers, judges, and lawmakers across Asia to promote positive environmental governance. Students will team up to work on legal or policy research projects for partner organizations in China or developing countries in Asia addressing pressing environmental challenges and contributing to ongoing legal reform efforts.
Our Mission
The U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law (PEL) works collaboratively with government institutions, non-government organizations, lawyers, judges, lawmakers, and others to promote good environmental governance in Asia. As the most rapidly developing region on the planet, many countries in Asia are in urgent need of leaders to implement and enforce environmental laws and regulations, as well as policymakers and educators to develop the next generation of environmental advocates.
Highlights
October 1, 2024
Advancing Community-based Climate Solutions: Published Report on NbS and Carbon Markets Sparks New Developments
Over the summer of 2024, the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) project team at the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic achieved significant milestones. We successfully published our research report completed in the Spring and Summer of 2024, comprised of seven article posts that disseminated critical insights into Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Trading in China and international NbS methodologies for carbon credits. These publications have garnered a wide readership, with over 5,000 readers engaging with various posts, and we received very positive feedback from our partners.
Building on our initial findings, we presented our plan to develop NbS toolkits for indigenous community leaders during outreach events held in Yunnan Province, China. These toolkits aim to empower local communities to design and implement localized natural climate solutions, enhancing their capacity to participate in carbon markets and contributing to broader climate mitigation efforts. This collaborative effort with our Chinese partners is a promising step forward in advancing community-based climate solutions.
Snapshot of the article posts in the WeChat social media account. Here are the links to the posts:
- Key elements of nature-based solutions for carbon offset project 基于自然的解决方案的碳项目的关键要素
- Carbon Aggregation Project碳聚合项目
- China Voluntary Carbon Market中国自愿碳市场
- Carbon Offset Project Methodological Review碳项目的方法学回顾
- China Methodological Introduction and Comparison with International Methodologies – Forestry Methodologies中国方法学简介及其国际方法学的比较-林业方法学
- China Methodological Introduction and Comparison with International Methodologies – Mangrove Methodologies中国方法学简介及其国际方法学的比较-红树林方法学
- China Methodological Introduction and Comparison with International Methodologies – Grassland Methodologies Recommendations中国方法学简介及其国际方法学的比较-草原方法学建议
The NbS research team Spring 2024: Dr. Yanmei Lin Professor of Law, Erin Beidler JD’24, Jennifer Bass JD’24, Daisy Andrews JD Candidate ’25, Leyna Schaeffer M.C.E.P’ 24, Yi Wen MLS’24 at Vermont Law and Graduate School
Our Outreach event in indigenous communities in Baoshan, Yunnan Province. Photo by Sun Junwei
August 20, 2024
Advancing Climate Knowledge through ASEAN NDC Fact-Sheets
The Transnational Environmental Law Clinic research team has successfully raised significant interest and engagement through the publication of a series of factsheets focused on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and climate actions of ASEAN member states in Chinese. These fact-sheets—covering Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines, Indonesia—have collectively reached over 6500 readers. They provide valuable insights into how these countries are tackling climate change, offering both local and transnational perspectives on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering sustainable development.
Each factsheet provides a comprehensive overview of the legal and governance frameworks within each country, addressing both the historical context and current political dynamics that shape climate policies. For instance, Singapore’s governance structure emphasizes its centralized approach to environmental regulation, while Cambodia’s evolving legal framework is heavily influenced by its vulnerability to climate change.
The factsheets also examine how each nation addresses climate governance, highlighting the mechanisms in place to meet their NDC commitments. For example, Vietnam’s legal structure facilitates climate resilience through national action plans focused on disaster preparedness and emissions reduction. Meanwhile, Laos and the Philippines are particularly vulnerable to natural disasters due to their geographic locations, making climate adaptation critical to their governance models.
Each factsheet delves into the overarching themes of the respective nation’s NDC, such as the focus on biodiversity and energy efficiency in Brunei, and sustainable agriculture and forest protection in Cambodia. Many ASEAN nations, such as Malaysia and Vietnam, rely on international cooperation to meet their ambitious climate targets, underscoring the importance of global partnerships.
A core focus of the factsheets is on how framework legislations and sectoral regulations are supporting the implementation of NDC goals. For example, Malaysia has developed sector-specific policies for renewable energy and forestry that are tied directly to its NDC targets. Similarly, Thailand has passed comprehensive climate legislation to address emissions reduction and energy transition, with clear links to its NDC goals.
Here are the links to the Chinese fact sheets:
Brunei: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/CkSBokawxBNllcrayUEorw
Laos: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/ZHQE6FJ5WGkjtbTsTsdWiQ
Cambodia: https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/mValrdIDDv1r3hzAs1V5oQ
Malaysia https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/cadgakkltDuSkZj-qPdFaA
Singapore https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/e0bYNXvS26IMxXWzKne0Iw
Vietnam https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Gb06dTVIx-6PqEWYimn5BA
Thailand https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/tXzWIJ197NacnUkIZKCuxw
Philippine https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/4fvWRMMRuYHsHPFoXu-VCg
Indonesia’s Enhanced NDC https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/boZtvE6Cj-63QwFHJ2G5tw
July 1, 2024
Sharing the Clinic’s Research on Comparative Climate Legislation and Governance: Vermont, USA and Fujian, China
The Transnational Environmental Law Clinic, led by Professor Lin Yanmei, recently engaged in dialogues with Chinese partners to advance the understanding of subnational climate governance. On March 13, 2024, Professor Lin presented the clinic’s research findings in a report titled “Climate Legislation and Just Transition: A Comparison between Vermont, USA, and Fujian, China” at the Research Center for Ecological Governance and Rule of Law Construction at Shantou University.
Professor Lin first illustrated the urgency of addressing global climate issues by referencing the recent devastating flood in Vermont, USA, in the summer 2023. She noted that while the U.S.-China relations remained tense, the two countries took a significant collaborative step when they issued the Sunnylands Statement, demonstrating a mutual commitment to addressing the climate crisis. Professor Lin then discussed the unique federal cooperation system in the USA, explaining how different states have developed their own climate actions and legislations over time. She addressed the challenges faced by state-level climate legislation. Professor Lin then compared Vermont’s and Fujian Province’s climate legislations, both regions notable for their substantial forest cover. She compared and contrasted the climate governance systems, legal frameworks, strategies, and specific actions undertaken by these jurisdictions. Finally, she offered legislative recommendations aimed at enhancing climate governance and achieving climate goals effectively in similar regions.
Professor Lin Yanmei shared findings on comparative subnational climate legislations and just transition with researchers and students at Shantou University, Guangdong Province on March 13, 2024. Photo by Huang Xinxin. In a separate engagement on June 7, 2024, Professor Lin delivered a lecture titled “Overview of U.S. Environmental Law and Recent Progress” at the School of Law and IPR, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University in Guangzhou. The lecture introduced the latest developments in U.S. subnational climate laws, including Vermont’s S 259 – the Climate Superfund Act, the first climate change cost recovery law of its kind. The session sparked lively discussion among faculty and students, furthering interest in comparative environmental law and climate justice. These engagements exemplify the Clinic’s commitment to fostering international collaboration and advancing research in climate governance and legislation.
Professor Yanmei Lin and the environmental law and international law faculty members at the School of Law and IPR, Guangdong Polytechnic Normal University photo by Li Jing.
Informing China’s National Park Legislation with Insights from the US National Park System
The Transnational Environmental Law Clinic is proud to share the publication of a new chapter authored by James Brien JD’23 and Professor Yanmei Lin, titled “The United States National Park System: Overview, Challenges and Policy Recommendations for China”. This research conducts a comparative analysis of national park legislation, drawing valuable insights from the US National Park System to inform the development of China’s emerging national park framework.
Since the establishment of China’s first five national parks in October 2021, which collectively protect nearly 30% of China’s critical terrestrial wildlife species, China has been working to craft comprehensive legislation to support its national park system. This chapter offers key lessons from the US experience, where the “One National Park, One Law” model and the governance dynamics between federal, state, and local entities serve as potential guiding principles.
The study, which spans five sections, examines:
- The historical evolution and legal framework of the US National Park System.
- Challenges in balancing conservation with land uses and interactions with Indigenous communities.
- Policy recommendations for China’s legislation, emphasizing the need for clear legal authorities, public participation mechanisms, and the inclusion of Indigenous knowledge.
- As China moves forward in developing its national park laws, this research provides a critical lens on how international collaboration and shared experiences can contribute to the sustainable management of natural lands and the protection of global biodiversity.
December 18, 2023
The Transnational Environmental Law Clinic: Empowering Julie Oh’s Work for a Sustainable Future
The Transnational Environmental Law Clinic (TELC) at Vermont Law and Graduate School (VLGS) plays a critical role in addressing global environmental challenges by creating a platform for students to work on legal and policy research projects for partner organizations in China, Vietnam, Thailand, and other Asian countries. Students learn about specific environmental challenges in these countries and the gaps in their laws and policies that need to be addressed.
The clinic also supports the work of the U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law. With project topics such as how to provide a just transition to climate change law, public participation in climate governance, and renewable energy laws and policies, students conduct in-depth practical and comparative research to assist the partnering organizations’ environmental advocacy and legal reform work.
Julie Oh JD’25 is a TELC student clinician. Before coming to VLGS, she was in Washington, DC, studying environmental metrology, which is the study of taking measurements in the environment to identify, quantify, and access hazardous pollutants. While working in a lab during the pandemic, she noticed that countries would ask the U.S. for their research and advice. This spurred her interest in international environmental law and ultimately brought her to VLGS.
Now, Julie is working on the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic’s project “Provincial/State Climate Law and Just Transition,” which focuses on strategies to implement climate laws within a Chinese province. She explained that on a national level, the Chinese government has climate goals to meet, but the issue is how provinces can implement the regulations the national law has mandated.
In the U.S., states have similar struggles. What can a state do to implement environmental federal laws? With her analytical training, Julie’s perspective is practical and grounded. She is taking what she has learned about U.S. domestic law and applying it to the capabilities of Fujian Province in China. First, she gained an understanding of China’s environmental law and policy system. Then she was able to compare and contrast U.S. and Chinese environmental laws and policies.
The TELC project team found that Vermont had some very effective responses as the state works to meet its sustainability goals. Julie thought that the climate action plan in the Vermont Global Warming Solutions Act contained some ideas that could transfer across to Fujian Province. The team is creating a report for this Chinese province to show them how they can incorporate Vermont’s ideas into their policies. “It is fulfilling to help people by discovering and sharing information they can’t find on their own and to know that they can have a plan for climate change,” Julie said. She explained that public policy needs data to back it up and the data shows us that it’s not only about America and learning the jurisdiction of just one state or nation. It is vital to learn and work with other nations across continents. “Climate change doesn’t have borders or boundaries. You need to understand more than just your jurisdictional analytical framework because it’s not limited to the institutional designs of America but how law and policy work in different countries. It’s about how we help each other and how we talk about measuring these little successes. I realize these differences won’t be managed right away. It’s a very long fight. It’s a very long process with little steps. But I also realize that we need to help a broad society make these little steps.”
As Julie’s project demonstrates through the work comparing Vermont’s state laws to the provincial laws of China, the clinic utilizes channels across nations to share relevant information and assist with processes and results. Through group discussions, collaboration, and creating reports, the clinic allows the students to share ideas and develop legal strategies with other countries.
Her experience highlights the significance of the clinic’s collective efforts and the power of small steps in building a sustainable future. With each step, the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic equips VLGS students like Julie with the knowledge and skills necessary to address pressing environmental issues on a global scale.
Practical Projects
At the Transnational Environmental Law Clinic, we provide students with the opportunity to engage in impactful, real-world environmental law research and advocacy projects. Our clinic focuses on four key program themes: Just Transition, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), Public Participation in Environmental Governance, and Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). Each project equips students with hands-on experience in comparative environmental law and policy while supporting our global partners in China, Southeast Asia, and beyond.
Just Transition
- Climate and Just Transition Litigation: Students contribute to the development of climate litigation strategies for partners in China and Southeast Asia, focusing on both climate and just transition issues.
- Comparative Subnational Just Transition Legislation: Analyze and compare just transition initiatives from other countries, particularly at the provincial or state level, to provide our Chinese partners with insights into global best practices.
- Capacity Building for Just Transition Lawyering: Help design and deliver training programs for our partners, aimed at developing legal strategies to support just transition on the ground.
- Wetland Conservation and Environmental Litigation: Conduct research on wetland conservation and the wise use of wetlands, including traditional practices, to support environmental public interest litigation (EPIL) efforts.
- Methane Emissions Legislative Drafting: Contribute to international legislative drafting partnerships focused on reducing methane emissions and advancing climate mitigation.
Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
- Integrating NbS into Climate Governance: Work with partners to analyze how NbS can be incorporated into legal and policy frameworks for effective climate governance.
- NbS Toolkits for Indigenous Leaders: Develop toolkits to empower indigenous communities in China and Southeast Asia. These toolkits guide local leaders in creating natural climate solutions that enhance resilience and facilitate participation in carbon markets.
- Community Training on Natural Climate Solutions: Support partners in delivering training programs for community leaders on NbS, helping them build resilience and contribute to climate action through localized solutions.
Public Participation in Environmental Governance
- National Park Governance and Public Participation: Assist Chinese environmental law clinics and NGOs, such as Friends of Nature, in advocating for public participation in China’s emerging national park system. This project involves sharing U.S. experiences and case studies on best practices for involving civil society in park management.
- Legislative Reforms for EPIL: Engage in comparative legal research on administrative environmental public interest litigation, helping advance legislative reforms in China and Southeast Asia.
- Comparative Wildlife Safeguards: Conduct comparative research on wildlife protection in linear infrastructure projects (such as highways and railways) in India, Nepal, and Mongolia, with a focus on public participation mechanisms in these projects.
- Environmental Law Clinic Development: Support the establishment and expansion of environmental law clinics in law schools across China and Southeast Asia.
Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS)
- Legal Assistance for Indigenous Communities: Help indigenous communities assert their traditional rights over biological and cultural diversity, strengthening their role in conservation and stewardship of natural resources.
- Local Legislation for ABS: Provide support to local governments in drafting and implementing ABS regulations within the framework of the Convention on Biological Diversity, ensuring fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources.
Publication
More information coming soon.
Who we are
Yanmei Lin
- Professor of Law
- Deputy Director, U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law
Siu Tip Lam
- Director, U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law
- Professor of Law
Claire Andrews
- Program Coordinator
Contact Us
Claire Andrews
PEL/TEL Program Coordinator
Phone: 802-831-1342
Email: candrews@vermontlaw.edu
Siu Tip Lam
Director and Associate Professor
Phone: 802-831-1382
Email: slam@vermontlaw.edu
Yanmei Lin
Deputy Director and Professor of Law
Phone: 802-831-1050
Email: ylin@vermontlaw.edu
PEL Building (2nd Floor, Jacobs House)
PEL/TEL Program Coordinator
Phone: 802-831-1387
Email: asia@vermontlaw.edu
Location: Jacobs House, Vermont Law and Graduate School
Mailing address:
U.S.-Asia Partnerships for Environmental Law
Vermont Law and Graduate School
PO Box 96
South Royalton, VT 05068
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