Grey literature | 2024
Deep Seabed Mining and Human Rights Statement
Deep seabed mining could negatively impact human rights on many levels, in spite of how its remoteness and depth can make many people feel disconnected from consequences.
Grey literature | 2023
High Seas Biodiversity Treaty Policy Brief
An Introduction to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction
Information brief | 2023
Compilation of IUCN WCEL Briefings for Negotiators for INC-3
In 2022, the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law (WCEL) created the Plastic Pollution Task Force to provide insights and support to the Treaty negotiation process. The following series of ten targeted legal briefs are part of the IUCN Submission for the third Intergovernmental Negotiating…
Story | 30 Sep, 2019
BRIDGE: Hydrodiplomacy in Action
Globally, over 310 lake and river basins stretch across national borders. Around 60% of those lack any type of cooperative management framework. Good transboundary water management is crucial for peace, security, economic development and environmental…
Story | 23 Aug, 2019
Indigenous Perspectives on Sacred Natural Sites
WCEL members Jonathan Liljeblad and Bas Verschuuren co-edited a book featuring indigenous voices and indigenous perspectives on indigenous sacred sites.
Story | 13 Oct, 2017
Australian Environmental Lawyers call for Sea Country Reforms
CEESP News - by Hanna Jaireth, member of IUCN CEESP, WCEL, WCPA
One of the technical papers in a broad blueprint for the next generation of environmental laws in Australia calls for a more strategic national approach to marine and coastal governance, including nationally consistent laws…
Story | 20 Jul, 2017
IUCN experts provide input into draft treaty recognising fundamental environmental rights
A preliminary draft of a “Global Pact for the Environment” – which aims to serve as a basis for a new UN treaty to define fundamental environmental rights – was recently launched at a high-level event in Paris, with the backing of French President Emmanuel Macron, former UN Secretary-General Ban…
Publication | 2016
Framework for assessing and improving law for sustainability
The sustainability challenges we face today are greater than any we have previously confronted. This year, the United Nations adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Law is a necessary part of the solution to sustainability challenges…
Story | 15 Nov, 2015
Report calls on aluminium industry to respect indigenous peoples' rights
Geneva, Switzerland, 16 November 2015 – While global demand for the world’s most popular metal – aluminium – continues to rise, it is critical that the aluminium industry address its environmental and social impacts, particularly in indigenous peoples’ territories, according to new report…
Story | 25 Jan, 2015
In the early hours of a snowy Saturday morning in New York, United Nations delegates took a historic step towards safeguarding the global ocean commons. Government representatives at a UN meeting agreed to launch a formal preparatory process for a global and legally-binding instrument for the…