Regulation and Governance of the Environment and Food Systems
Environmental Claims and "Greenwashing"
Many consumers want to buy as green as they can, and many businesses are tapping into this desire. The number of claims about the environmental and sustainability credentials of consumer products and services in advertising can be overwhelming. Yet many of the claims made are unverified and unverifiable for the consumer. Many are misleading. Consumer protection regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is making misleading green claims a priority for monitoring and enforcement.
Working with the Consumer Policy Research centre, ADM+S researchers are searching the Ad Observatory to identify how frequently consumers are targeted with green advertising, and how misleading these claims are. The research asks how environmental consumerism and sustainable consumption is produced on social media, and whether it is targeted at particular cohorts.
This case study is part of The Australian Ad Observatory project, one of research projects of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision + Society.
Regulating Cumulative Environmental Effects: Designing Global Best Practice
Led by Dr Rebecca Nelson, this project aims to analyse and evaluate laws regulating cumulative environmental effects in the United States of America, European Union, Canada and Australia. The outcomes will increase the capacity of regulators, industry, and the community to better manage common challenges in managing environmental effects and reducing environmental harms.
Funded by Discovery Early Career Research Awad (DECRA), Australian Research Council, DE180101154, (2018-2023).
The Potential and Limits of International Adjudication
This project aims to analyse the place of adjudication in international affairs, using a case study of Australia’s extensive engagement with the International Court of Justice. Led by Professor Margaret Young and Professor Hillary Charlesworth, the project will provide a detailed account of the context and impact of the cases in which Australia has been involved before the Court, and will assess the complex roles that adjudication and advisory opinions can play in the resolution of international disputes more generally. Funded by Australian Research Council Discovery Project, DP180101318, (2018 - 2021).
Land use planning, pipelines and the urban fringe
Brad Jessup, ‘Land use planning, pipelines and the urban fringe’ (2017) (2011-2012). Brad received a grant ($45,000) from the Energy Pipelines CRC to research the planning law and policy influence on urban development on the fringe, which is increasingly encroaching on pipeline infrastructure. This applied aspect of the project was undertaken in 2011 and completed in early 2012.
The next stage of the research project has been to situate this research within concepts of risk, geography and resilience. In 2017 Brad presented and published research on the role of planning laws and pipeline regulation to materialise and inform otherwise invisible legal geographies.
Small Grants Scheme Funding
Professor Jacqueline Peel and Professor Lee Godden, Small Grants Scheme funding (2004-2007) from Melbourne Law School for approximately $20,000 over 4 years to pursue joint projects in the areas of quarantine and international trade law; risk management; invasive species; and inter-disciplinary approaches in environmental law. These projects have been used as pilot studies to generate an initial research base and supporting publications to allow more in-depth research supported by ARC funding.
Managing Competing Claims to Land and Resources - Does Property Law Promote Sustainability
Professor Maureen Tehan and Professor Lee Godden, 'Managing Competing Claims to Land and Resources - Does Property Law Promote Sustainability' . Managing Competing Claims to Land and Resources - Does Property Law Promote Sustainability ? A key factor in promoting environmental sustainability is the resolution of competing claims to land and water resources in rural Australia. This project would examine the effectiveness of property law as the major model for resolving conflicts and regulating land and resources. Through overseas and Australian comparative research the project would provide an analysis of alternative legal and institutional models of relevance to land and resource management authorities, industry and community groups. It would support the resolution of competing claims through an examination of legal models, which may more effectively promote environmental sustainability. ARC Discovery Project (2005), DP0558604.