Elaine Johnson joins global climate litigation panel at New York Climate Week 2026
From left to right: Maria Antonia Tigre (Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Colombia University), Florencia Ortúzar Greene (Director of Climate Change Program, Interamerican Association of Environmental Defense), Elaine Johnson (Director, Johnson Legal), Nikki Reisch (Director, Climate & Energy Program, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), Lucy Maxwell (Co-director, Climate Litigation Network) at the New York Bar Association on 23 September 2026 (credit New York Bar Association)
Johnson Legal Director, Elaine Johnson, joined a global climate litigation panel as part of New York Climate Week 2026. The event was hosted by the New York Bar Association, together with the Sabin Center for Climate Change, Columbia Law School and the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice.
Joining Elaine on stage were climate litigation experts:
Maria Antonia Tigre (Sabin Center for Climate Change Law, Colombia University)
Florencia Ortúzar Greene (Director of Climate Change Program, Interamerican Association of Environmental Defense)
Nikki Reisch (Director, Climate & Energy Program, Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL)
Lucy Maxwell (Co-director, Climate Litigation Network)
After the event, Elaine said:
“I was so pleased to be invited to share the stage with four incredible women talking global climate litigation as part of New York Climate Week this year.
Thank you to the New York Bar Association, the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law and the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice for hosting this important conversation.
In Australia, our communities have suffered devastating losses from extreme weather events, floods and the horrific Black Summer bushfires.
Many people and animals have already lost their lives as a result of unabated greenhouse gas emissions.
Yet, Australia is still the second largest exporter of coal in the world and the third largest exporter of liquified natural gas (LNG).
As Australian communities suffer the impacts of climate change in the face of government and corporate inaction, they are increasingly worried about their role in hosting the very fossil fuel projects that are causing climate harms.
People across Australia are seeking legal support to access justice through the courts. It’s a privilege to be able to provide access to justice for communities who are seeking a better, healthier future for all.”
