APCEL warmly congratulates their centre director, Jolene Lin, and her co-author, Professor Jacqueline Peel (Melbourne Law School), for winning two prestigious prizes - the 2025 Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law (ANZSIL) Book Prize and the 2025 European Society of International Law (ESIL) Collaborative Book Prize - for their book, Litigating Climate Change in the Global South (Oxford University Press, 2024).

On 3 September 2025, APCEL's Senior Research Fellow, Linda Yanti Sulistiawati, led an ASIL Abroad panel on “Global Climate Action in the Trump Era.” Speakers Beatriz Garcia, Elizabeth Wu, and Junice Yeo discussed COP30’s challenges, climate litigation, and media’s role in climate discourse. The session covered global power dynamics, AI impacts, carbon monetization, and Southeast Asia’s vulnerability, offering thought-provoking insights for future climate action, research, and collaboration.

APCEL convened a full-day conference on 7 August 2025 to explore a “just transition” to a low-carbon future in Southeast Asia. Experts from academia, government, civil society, business, and finance discussed how legal frameworks, governance, and investment strategies can ensure equitable, people-centered climate action. Panels highlighted local solutions, social inclusion, workforce reskilling, and finance for communities. Across discussions, speakers stressed that human well-being, equity, and dignity must guide Southeast Asia’s transition.

APCEL Academic Fellow Justin Lim participated in the ‘Legal Pathways to Sustainability Transition: Innovation and Resilience’ conference hosted by the University of Hong Kong. Justin presented his paper titled ‘A Corporate Duty to Promote Sustainable Development?’ His presentation challenged how a duty to promote #SustainableDevelopment for corporations is unlikely to address the interests of all stakeholders to sustainable development projects, and demands of courts a greater expertise in a corpus of law beyond that of private law. Overall, these developments are already being witnessed today in companies and before the courts, which prompts greater reflection on the role of corporations in the just transition. 

APCEL was featured in the Straits Times’ article, 'ICJ’s climate ruling may spur scrutiny of S’pore carbon tax, firms’ climate action plans'. The Centre gave comments on how the Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice provides a 'legal foundation' for states to take ambitious climate action. In particular, the findings of the Court may influence climate policies and litigation in the region.

Dr Linda Yanti Sulistiawati represented APCEL at the IPCC’s Second Lead Author Meeting for its Special Report on Climate Change and Cities, held in Mombasa in July 2025. The meeting advanced work on the First Order Draft, which assesses urban climate risks and responses, ahead of its March 2027 release.

Singapore’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) system has evolved to balance development with conservation, becoming more transparent and participatory since the 1990s. Experts highlight progress, including public consultations and standardised guidelines, but note areas for improvement—such as dedicated legislation and enhancing public involvement—to address future environmental challenges effectively.

On 28 April 2025, the World Justice Project, ADB, and KAS launched the Environmental Rule of Law Index in Manila to strengthen environmental law enforcement in Asia-Pacific. Drawing lessons from Latin America, it emphasizes citizen engagement, local voices, and real-world cases to assess, improve, and inspire inclusive environmental governance across the region.

APCEL Senior Research Fellow, Dr. Linda Yanti Sulistiawati had published her working paper, 'Legal Analysis of Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit against Public Participation) Environmental Cases in Indonesia: A Long and Winding Road to Implementation ?' in the APCEL Working Paper Series. Co-written with  Muhammad Adib Zain Judge, Supreme Court of the Republic of Indonesia, Rengat District Court, Indragiri Hulu Regency, Riau, Indonesia, the paper explores the legal landscape of Anti-SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation) protections in Indonesia, focusing on their role in safeguarding environmental defenders.

The Asian Environmental Negotiation Competition 2025 was held from 11–13 July at NUS, bringing together 36 participants from 12 teams to negotiate complex issues on Sustainable Aviation Fuel. The event featured expert judges, a keynote on environmental law, and saw Team 4 emerge as Champions after intense final-round deliberations.

APCEL congratulates Jolene Lin and her co-author,  Jacqueline Peel (Melbourne Law School) on winning the 2025 Australian and New Zealand Society of International Law (ANZSIL) Book Prize for their book, Litigating Climate Change in the Global South,  which sheds light on emerging and accelerating climate litigation in Global South developing countries.

APCEL's Senior Research Fellow Dr. Linda Yanti Sulistiawati, was invited to attend the EU-ASEAN Business Council Global Plastic Treaty Industry Roundtables on 8 July 2025 at the Sheraton Towers Singapore. Conducted by the EU-Asean Business Council, the closed-door, high-level roundtable saw participation from all across the board, including government, NGOs and the private sector to discuss key policy issues at the intersection of Industry and the Global Plastic Treaty.