Vice-Rector Marc-Philippe Weller opens the LL.M. with a seminar on climate justice and corporate responsibility

Vice-Rector Marc-Philippe Weller opens the LL.M. with a seminar on climate justice and corporate responsibility
On April 7, the Heidelberg Center for Latin America welcomed Prof. Dr. Marc-Philippe Weller, Chair of Private International Law and Vice-Rector for International Affairs and Diversity at Heidelberg University. His visit to Chile included delivering the opening lecture of the Master's in International Law, Investments, and Trade (LL.M.).

In his seminar, "Climate Neutrality and Corporations – The Role of Constitutional and Human Rights in Climate Litigation", Professor Weller discussed the global rise of climate litigation, examining how constitutional and human rights are becoming key tools in the pursuit of climate justice.

Drawing on landmark cases such as the ruling against Shell in the Netherlands and decisions by the German Constitutional Court, the legal obligations of both states and corporations in facing the climate crisis were explored. Climate protection has shifted from a policy aspiration to a legal requirement, grounded in international norms, constitutions, and principles of private law.

A key focus of the presentation was the tension between corporate responsibility and climate change. Professor Weller explained that “human rights can and should also apply in relationships between private actors, especially when widespread environmental harm is at stake.” In this context, “comparative law is increasingly moving toward the inclusion of climate due diligence obligations for large corporations, as proposed by the new EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive.”

The inaugural lecture was significant in linking academia directly with contemporary legal challenges of global relevance. Professor Weller’s presence reaffirmed the role of the Heidelberg Center as Heidelberg University’s hub in Latin America. It also marked the beginning of the 2025/2026 student cohort with a highly relevant academic debate on the role of law in addressing major global environmental challenges of the 21st century.