Faces of Environmental Justice Australia

Meet Rahul

Rahul has returned to Environmental Justice Australia’s climate team, bringing with him legal expertise across multiple jurisdictions, experience in youth advocacy and education, and a deep commitment to climate justice.

We spoke with Rahul about what brought him back, how his varied career path shapes his work, and what keeps him motivated.

Welcome back to EJA! You joined us as a volunteer first, and then a graduate, before heading abroad for a few years. What made you want to return – and what feels different or familiar this time around?

The first time I was here, I was really taken by how meaningful the work was. I was contributing to matters I cared deeply about, and felt like part of a broader movement pushing for ambitious climate action.

When the opportunity came up to return, I knew I wanted to be back. EJA has some of the most inspiring people I’ve ever worked with – and the kind of purpose-driven legal practice I was missing in other roles.

This time around, the biggest difference is the team capacity. Last time I was here, the climate team was tiny. Now the teams across the organisation have grown, which means we can explore more avenues and take on more impactful work.

“It’s not about feeling fired up every single day. It’s about being part of a movement where we lift each other up. That solidarity – that’s what sustains me.”
— RAHUL RAMESH, LAWYER, Environmental Justice Australia

You’ve worked as a legal consultant overseas, taught high school students, and helped shape Australia’s youth engagement at international climate conferences. How have these experiences influenced the way you approach climate law?

When I was last at EJA, we spent quite a bit of time scoping how other countries were using climate litigation. Working overseas gave me a chance to meet people actually doing some of that work, and an opportunity to learn from them directly. That kind of solidarity, realising there are people everywhere using the law to fight for climate justice, was really inspiring.

Teaching high school students was also surprisingly influential. You see how bright and thoughtful young people are – and how much hope there is in the next generation. It also taught me how important it is to communicate legal concepts in ways that make sense to people who haven’t spent six years studying law!

Your work at Enhesa in Belgium spanned multiple countries and legal systems. What did that global perspective teach you about environmental and corporate accountability??

Enhesa is a global company that helps businesses understand and follow environmental, health, and safety laws in different countries. I focussed on jurisdictions including Australia, India, and Malaysia.

One big thing I realised through this work is how much positive change is happening in environmental and corporate accountability – even if it’s not moving as fast as we want. It was also striking to see how international standards around environmental impact often move faster than domestic laws. That gap between ambition and implementation is something we need to keep challenging.

Another insight was seeing how other countries use constitutional rights to protect the environment – a tool we don’t currently have in Australia. It made me think more deeply about the legal foundations we need for stronger climate action here.

Climate law is a fast-evolving space. What excites you most about the work ahead with EJA’s climate team?

Honestly, the pace of fossil fuel approvals is alarming – especially from governments we hoped would do better. But that urgency also makes the work meaningful. There’s so much important legal work to be done right now, and being part of a team that’s pushing for the right kind of change feels energising.

I also find it exciting that EJA centres First Nations knowledge and leadership. Traditional Owners have been caring for Country for tens of thousands of years – and it’s critical that climate work respects and follows that leadership.

Can you tell us about your role within the team – and how you’ll be lending legal capacity across different matters?

Right now I’m the most junior lawyer in the climate team, which I’m actually really excited about! Everyone around me is brilliant, and I get to learn from them every day. I’m picking up pieces of lots of different matters and building my legal practice with guidance from people I deeply admire.

I like to joke that I’m the “Frankenstein” of the team – in the best way – getting to stitch together lots of great parts of everyone’s work and skills to form my own climate lawyer identity.

What was it like transitioning from legal consulting to teaching – and then back into climate law? Has the classroom influenced how you communicate legal issues or engage with advocacy?

Absolutely. Teaching Year 11 legal studies reminded me how much legal knowledge we internalise – and how inaccessible the legal system can feel to others.

I think if you’re using the law to fight for climate justice, but you can’t explain what you’re doing to the communities you’re working with, then something’s broken. The law is meant to be transparent and accessible – and I always try to make sure the way I communicate reflects that.

You were part of the team that helped found Australian Youth For International Climate Engagement (AYFICE) and have attended UN climate talks. What did these experience teach you about the power (and the limits) of international climate processes?

There’s definitely inspiration in those spaces – you meet passionate, smart people from all over the world who care deeply about climate justice. But there are limits, too.

At one informal event, we had a chance to speak as individuals – not as representatives of governments or organisations. And it was clear how many people, even from delegations with weak national stances, personally cared and wanted stronger action. That disconnect between what people want and what their governments do is real – but knowing there’s shared ambition gives me hope.

“I think if you’re using the law to fight for climate justice, but you can’t explain what you’re doing to the communities you’re working with, then something’s broken.”
— RAHUL RAMESH, LAWYER, Environmental Justice Australia

You’ve also received awards tied to climate advocacy. What’s driven your interest in climate justice – and how do you keep that motivation strong?

I’ve always been interested in the environment intellectually – but it became personal on a study trip to Delhi. I was so excited to show my university friends a part of India, my heritage. But when we got off the bus, the pollution was so bad that people were coughing and crying. It was heartbreaking.

That moment crystallised everything for me. I didn’t want that kind of environmental degradation to be normalised further and in other places too.

What keeps me going now is the people around me. It’s hard to stay fired up every single day, but being part of a movement means that when you’re running low, someone else’s energy carries you. And on other days, you get to be that person for someone else.

You studied both law and economics – how do you think that combination helps in understanding the legal levers for climate action?

So many arguments made in favour of harmful projects are economic. Being able to understand, and interrogate, those arguments is critical. It gives you tools to challenge decisions that might otherwise go unquestioned.

I think having that background lets me speak both ‘legalese’ and talk-money too, which helps when unpacking complex issues and making more holistic arguments for climate justice.

For young people considering a career in environmental law or advocacy, what advice would you give?

Reach out. Put your name in the ring. Don’t be afraid to connect with people doing work you admire, especially in the for-purpose space. Most of us want more people in the movement, and we’re happy to support where we can.

And don’t be discouraged by setbacks. I applied to volunteer at EJA multiple times before I got in. Sometimes persistence – and showing that you genuinely care – goes a long way.