Mediation is a grossly underutilized mechanism available in environmental disputes. And yet, it has huge benefits to parties. I think that a problem is also the perception of what an “environmental dispute” is.

This field of the law is very broad and includes aspects of the natural environment but also includes the built environment (town planning and building disputes), pollution rehabilitation and remediation, mining, water, air quality and climate change and biodiversity. An example where mediation can be especially beneficial is in contractual disputes or negotiations relating to environmental risks associated with clean up, rehabilitation, reporting, climate change and carbon tax.