Alumni profile - Alasdair Cameron

Alasdair Cameron, LLM Global Environment and Climate Change Law, 2020

Tell us a little bit about your life before Edinburgh Law School?

Before undertaking the LLM at Edinburgh Law School, I had just completed my LLB having taken specific classes on international environmental law and environmental justice. Having struggled to find a specific area of law which merged my various personal academic interests and passions (legislative development, international policy, and environmental issues), being exposed to this new area of the law was an immediate clear fit in terms of where I wanted to go academically and professionally. Picking where I wanted to go next, naturally Edinburgh university was a great fit both in terms of the course and being close to home in Scotland. The structure of the course also allowed for flexibility in specialism in terms of environmental law as a whole, and importantly had specific modules related to international climate change law (which has now become my area of expertise). 

What do you think is unique to the Edinburgh Law School experience and what are some of your favourite memories?

I might be a bit biased being a Scot, but having travelled a fair slice of the globe, I am still so proud how many people have told me they fell in love with Edinburgh. The city itself is integral in making Edinburgh Law School a unique experience. For example, studying environmental law whilst being in a city brimming with stunning green spaces, hills, and the sea (which are all extremely accessible) allows you to develop or maintain that important connection and understanding with the natural environment, catalysing your passion. I remember my international environmental law classroom overlooked Arthur's Seat with Bass Rock in the distance, which was a spectacular backdrop for learning. Edinburgh also serves as an inspirational test bed of new ideas and innovations in terms of steps a city could take to become more sustainable and transition to net zero - and many of the University buildings are testimony to this. 

What have you been up to since graduating?

After graduating I worked briefly for the United Nations, but I now live in London working for the Law Society of England and Wales leading as their climate change, planning and environmental law policy adviser. I've been fortunate enough to get shape the Law Society's policy and regulatory agenda on climate change and how it impacts solicitors and firms in England and Wales. For example, earlier this year the Law Society published its guidance on the impact of climate change upon solicitors, which is the first type of guidance of its kind on solicitors and law firms' regulatory duties in the context of climate change. I've had opportunities to attend both COP26 and COP27 on behalf of the organisation to promote the role of the lawyer and legal sector in decarbonisation both nationally and internationally. I was also delighted to have appeared on the 2023 ENDS Power List which names the 100 UK environmental professionals who have made the greatest impact in the past two years

What advice would you give current Edinburgh Law School students?

If you intend to work in a job promoting the transition to net zero, look to develop expertise in areas which aren’t the usual suspects. The transition to net zero requires a whole economy response, and people often forget that. For instance, areas like planning law are presenting fundamental but entirely unique questions on how to achieve net zero (for instance the questions that are being raised by the M&S development at Oxford Circus or Finch v Surrey Council). Giving these often under attended issues or areas which are in their relative infancy attention will make you an asset both academically and to the planet. Use your dissertation as a opportunity to develop this unique expertise.