Honouring the Enduring Legacy of Martin Polden OBE: A Pillar of Environmental Justice

By Renee Karunungan

 

Today we honour and remember the legacy of a man whose passion for environmental justice and protection knew no bounds. Martin Polden OBE (23rd June 1928 – 5th April 2023), co-founder and first chair of the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF), has left an indelible mark on the world and the countless lives he touched.

Anyone who met Martin knew that they were in the presence of someone extraordinary. His unwavering commitment to safeguarding the environment and championing the rights of communities inspired so many to delve deeper into the world of environmental law. 

Martin’s contributions to the field of environmental law are enormous. He served on the Law Society Planning and Environmental Law Committee and the European Environmental Bureau; he was a Fellow of the Society for Advanced Legal Studies and of the Royal Society of Arts. Martin was also heavily involved with the Palestinian, Jordanian and Israeli environmental peace movement, EcoPeace. All of this, while authoring influential works that illuminated the intricate connection between the environment and the law. His 1994 book, The Environment and the Law, encapsulated his vision of a world where Earth, Air, Fire, and Water are respected and protected through legal means. 

As a frequent presence on television and radio, Martin tirelessly advocated for the importance of environmental law in the face of ever-growing threats to our planet. His dedication to the cause was recognized in 2006 when he was appointed OBE for Services to Environmental Law.

Martin’s passing is a profound loss not only for his family and friends but for the many within the community of environmental advocates. His legacy at ELF will continue to inspire generations of environmental lawyers and activists who will carry on his vital work.

As we mourn the loss of our dear founder and friend, Martin Polden, let us also celebrate his incredible achievements and honour his memory by continuing to fight for environmental justice and a better world for all. It is with great determination and the memory of Martin’s unwavering spirit that we pledge to carry on his work at ELF.

Rest in peace, Martin. You will be dearly missed, but your legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew you and in the countless lives you touched through your work for a greener, more just world.

Tributes to Martin

We have gathered heartfelt testimonials from Martin’s friends and colleagues, the individuals who truly understood the profound influence he had. We warmly welcome and encourage more tributes from those who would like to share their experiences and memories of Martin, as we continue to celebrate his lasting impact.

“I first met Martin, by chance (nothing to do with the environment) when Godstone had just won a planning enquiry against Laporte Industries PLC, my husband and I had both been involved as witnesses. Laporte Industries had submitted a proposal to undertake open cast mining in this SSI village, and also along the North Downs Greenbelt to extract bentonite. The village had been left victorious but with enormous costs for legal and scientific services. The local solicitor representing our village interests appeared completely out of his depth when it came to the legal environmental issues. This started me thinking as I was already involved with certain environmental charities.

The next time that Martin dropped by for a cup of tea, I suggested that we might set up a much needed organisation of lawyers, leading environmentalists and scientific advisors prepared to freely donate their services in defence of the environment. At the time Martin was sympathetic  but busy and understandably sceptical. He liked the idea but didn’t think that lawyers would buy into it. It took some time for this idea to ignite until David Hall, Professor of Environmental Sciences, from Kings College, London,  and a world renowned biologist, decided to  join forces. ELF’S earliest office was unofficially established at Kings, and we usually held informal strategy meetings in a nearby cafe. At the time this cooperation between different disciplines was a very new concept as most in this voluntary sector were already competing for funding.

We decided that to gain credibility, and to attract funders as well as lawyers, we needed the backing of some famous names from both the legal and environmental establishments – hence the publication of our Patrons and  Advisory Board members. Martin persuaded Lord Alexander of Weedon, Chair of NatWest, and I persuaded Sir Yeheudi Menuhin, also a very enthusiastic environmentalist, to become Joint Patrons. The Advisory Board consisted of well-known solicitors, barristers and environmentalists. Some of these people also donated funding which eventually enabled us to secure an independent office and to appoint our first director. We also co-authored a book, ” Earth Air, Fire and Water”, which received limited recognition at the time. 

In 2006 Martin was appointed O.B.E. in recognition of his services to environmental law. We were also very honoured when the then Prince Charles, agreed to become ELF’s Patron, and has subsequently hosted us at Clarence House, and at Buckingham Palace.

Throughout our long association with ELF, I have always been impressed by Martin’s lateral thinking and ability to “look round corners”; his tenacity and dogged determination; and his generosity in providing essential funding for ELF in certain times of crisis. Perhaps most noteworthy was his ability to persuade a succession of very busy, distinguished and gifted legal experts to donate their time and expertise to chairing ELF!

Martin’s was a life richly lived. He will certainly be very much missed by all of us who knew him.”

Diana Schumacher OBE

Co-founder, Advisory Board Member and Honorary Vice President of ELF

 

“Ever since a chance meeting Martin and I had, many moons ago, he has had a remarkably significant impact on my travels through the world of environmental law. I had worked on ELF cases by then but it was he who encouraged me to become a Trustee and thereafter one of the Chairs of ELF. His zeal and vision were always driving forces within our organization and I am sure that they will continue to inspire those who seek to continue his extraordinary work at ELF, myself included.”

Richard Wald KC

ELF Chair

“Martin has been a constant through much of my adult life, encouraging and supporting. As a relative youngster starting out at ELF, I was quickly aware that Martin, as one of ELF’s founders, was often around at ELF’s offices, as they were then, in Baldwin Gardens in central London. Martin took a hands-on approach to his trustee role at ELF and worked hard to get to know the staff and worked closely with us. He was never remote but always right up to his neck in all matters ELF, often emailing to promote a new idea. His ideas for ELF’s next event or strategic planning more often gained sway at our meetings. His dogged determination that ELF would survive saw us through difficult times, his endeavours and support for the organisation unwavering. To my recollection he was instrumental in seeking out, pursuing and persuading a host of brilliant legal people to chair ELF and he was also the reason that King Charles is our President. He simply wouldn’t take no for an answer. Recently two manifestations of Martin’s determination have resulted in Young ELF, now an embedded ELF arm and the event that we put on last year on restoring the UK’s waterways, which was such a good event bringing together Imperial College academics, ELF lawyer friends and communities. Neither would have happened without Martin’s insistence.

I last saw Martin at ELF’s 30th anniversary event at UCL with Chris Packham and Dr Mya Rose-Craig in conversation with our Carol Day. It was a passionate and energetic event, just the way Martin liked it. It was so wonderful to have both Martin and Diana Schumacher with us that night. And we rightly acknowledged their contribution to the organisation, its values and motivations over the years. Martin was surrounded by his beloved family, children and grandchildren and I took great comfort from his presence that night, as I still do.

ELF was set up by three visionary people, at the height of their careers, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for their farsightedness. ELF was established to rebalance the imbalance of the status quo, local communities with nowhere to turn as they strove to protect the environment that they loved. ELF has remained steadfast, as Martin intended, as he was.

On a personal level Martin greatly encouraged me at ELF. His warmth and humanity always in evidence. We shared a Jewish heritage and I will miss his messages that he sent on Jewish high days and holidays. Mourned and missed.”

Emma Montlake

Director of Casework, ELF

“Martin has been the foundation of ELF for the entirety of my legal career. The motivation to help others has blossomed into an organisation providing hundreds of individuals and communities across the country every year with legal advice and support they could not otherwise have accessed. For as long as I can remember, Martin has had a clear vision of how ELF should operate and he has been a passionate advocate throughout that period. We will hugely miss his knowledge, experience and commitment as well as his kindness. It really is the end of an era, but we hope to continue to do him proud.”

Carol Day

Member of the ELF Board of Trustees

“I first came across Martin in the early 1990s when he set up ELF.  I admired what he was doing but didn’t have a real appreciation of it until 20 years later, when I was invited to become Chair of ELF.

Martin was passionate about the cause, and rightly so because ELF is needed now more than ever, sadly. However, Martin was not a zealot in an unpleasant way, he was an extremely kind and humane man with a great sense of humour. In his later years he remained indomitable and my last meeting with him was at the talk given by Chris Packham last year [the 30th anniversary event] when he was in a wheelchair.  I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to describe him as inspirational.  I’m sure his faith will have been behind much of this.”

Stephen Tromans KC

Former Chair, ELF

“I am very sorry to hear the news of Martin’s death.   

I hugely respected his passion, commitment and tenacity to ELF’s cause and work.  Martin saw with genuine clarity the inherent interconnectedness of human activity, environment and nature.  As a result, he rightly advocated the widest relevance in ELF’s work.   

Martin always took time to hear and understand the issues we were handling and would often ask pertinent questions that helped us look again at a problem from different perspectives.  I really valued his practical wisdom which helped me manage a range of issues in my work at ELF.   

I also enjoyed his company – he would seem to have a ready supply of stories and jokes for every occasion.   We had good discussions and I always appreciated his insights on a whole range of subjects not just environmental concerns.”

   David Whiting

Former Chief Executive, ELF