A Nice Wake Up Call for an Ambitious Plastics Treaty provides more granular detail on how countries will deliver an ambitious Global Plastics Treaty NICE, JUNE 10, 2025 — Today, over 90 UN Member States issued a declaration on the margins of the United Nations Oceans Conference (UNOC). The Nice Wake Up Call for an … Read More.
NICE, France, June 4, 2025 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Nice, France, from June 9 to June 13, participating in the third UN Ocean Conference and available for comment. This gathering of over 10,000 participants will address critical issues of ocean health, funding, protection, and sustainable development. Co-hosted by … Read More.
HAMM, Germany, May 28, 2025 — The Higher Regional Court of Hamm today delivered a landmark climate ruling which sets a historic precedent opening the path to hold fossil fuel polluters accountable globally for climate-related harms, according to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Commenting on the ruling, CIEL Senior Attorney, Sébastien Duyck, issued … Read More.
Bucaramanga, Colombia, 20 de mayo de 2025 —El pasado 6 de marzo, las Relatorías Especiales de la ONU sobre defensores de derechos humanos, medio ambiente sano, agua y saneamiento, y el Grupo de Trabajo sobre empresas y derechos humanos enviaron comunicaciones a los gobiernos de Colombia, Canadá y Emiratos Árabes Unidos, así como a las empresas Aris Mining y MDC Industry Holding Company … Read More.
Bucaramanga, Colombia, May 20, 2025 — On March 6, 2025 the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on human rights defenders, a healthy environment, water and sanitation, and the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights sent formal letters to the governments of Colombia, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as to the companies Aris … Read More.
Dangerous US Legislation Would Fast-Track Fossil Fuel Projects and Strip Public Protections WASHINGTON, May 14, 2025—Today, US House Republicans advanced a sweeping and dangerous bill that would accelerate fossil fuel development, gut critical climate and renewable energy programs, and threaten the foundations of civil society and public participation. Steven Feit, Senior Attorney and Legal and … Read More.
LUXEMBOURG, May 14, 2025 — Today, the Council of Europe’s 46 member states missed a key opportunity to start the negotiations to legally protect the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for all in Europe, according to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). The Council of Europe (CoE) gathered for a Committee … Read More.
GENEVA, May 9, 2025 — At the 2025 session of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS), UN Member States made progress on toxics reform, refusing proposals that would have weakened the conventions. Still, due to continued efforts to stymie progress, they ultimately fell short of truly ambitious action needed to protect human health and the … Read More.
LONDON, May 7, 2025 – The United Kingdom’s Research and Development funding agency ARIA today unveiled information about the first projects to receive funding under its controversial £56.8 million solar geoengineering program. The Center for International Environmental Law has cautioned that these risky initiatives, including five different projects conducting outdoor experiments, could violate the precautionary … Read More.
GENEVA (CH)—CIEL experts are participating in and tracking the United Nations chemicals and waste negotiations at the Triple Conferences of the Parties of the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) in Geneva from April 28 to May 9, 2025, and are closely monitoring progress toward the sound management of chemicals and waste. During the … Read More.
WASHINGTON, DC, April 21, 2025 — On April 3, responding to intense sustained advocacy efforts by project-affected communities and civil society organizations, the respective Boards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the private sector arms of the World Bank Group, approved their long-awaited Interim Remedial Action Framework (RAF) … Read More.
GENEVA, April 3, 2025 – The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) warmly welcomes today’s United Nations Human Rights Council adoption of a resolution on the human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment focused on ocean protection and plastic pollution. The resolution, adopted by consensus, is the first time that the Human Rights … Read More.
WASHINGTON, April 1, 2025 —A new investigation by Stand.earth Research Group (SRG) and the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) exposes the toxic supply chain fueling global plastic production, shedding new light on the critical players driving the plastics and climate crises. The research reveals that some of the world’s largest household brands are driving … Read More.
A New EPA initiative seeks to exploit a Clean Air Act loophole, letting petrochemical and coal plants bypass limits on hazardous air pollution. WASHINGTON, March 28, 2025—In a move that undermines clean air protections and public health, the Trump administration’s US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) unveiled an initiative that attempts to exploit a narrow exemption … Read More.
WASHINGTON, DC, March 26, 2025 — The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) management has voluntarily and enthusiastically recognized CIEL Unite, the CIEL staff union which represents workers across the United States and Switzerland. The recognition comes after a supermajority of CIEL workers announced their intent to unionize in partnership with the Washington Baltimore News … Read More.
WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025— In a case that put the right to free speech on the line, a jury in North Dakota today found Greenpeace liable for hundreds of millions of dollars in damages claimed by Energy Transfer— the company behind the Dakota Access Pipeline— which sued the environmental group for its role in protest … Read More.
Hamm, Germany, March 19, 2025 — This week the Higher Regional Court of Hamm heard the highly anticipated climate case brought by Peruvian farmer mountain guide Saúl Luciano Lliuya against the German energy company RWE. A decision is expected on April 14, 2025. By reaffirming the polluter pays principle, the Court shifted the legal dial, … Read More.
The latest leak detected at a gas project off West Africa and the recent North Sea collision of an oil products tanker underscore that the dangers of offshore oil and gas activity abound but too often go unrecognized. WASHINGTON, March 19, 2025 — As fossil fuel companies take their operations to ever deeper waters, a … Read More.
WASHINGTON, March 17, 2025—US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin has proposed the wholesale dismantling of environmental protections in America through regulatory rollbacks that would increase pollution and endanger people and the planet. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) issues the following statement: “The EPA cannot remove protections for clean air and water … Read More.
Organizaciones de la sociedad civil celebran la medida tomada por el Ministerio de Ambiente de Colombia, la cual implica la suspensión por dos años del proyecto de megaminería de oro de la canadiense Aris Mining en el páramo. Bogotá, Colombia. La Asociación Interamericana para la Defensa del Ambiente (AIDA), el Institute for Policy Studies … Read More.
WASHINGTON, March 3, 2025 — The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), a global leader in defending the right to a healthy planet, is excited and honored to announce the appointment of Rebecca Brown as its new President and CEO. With CIEL’s mission to use the power of law to protect the environment, promote human … Read More.
BRUSSELS, February 26, 2025 — Today, the European Commission unveiled the Clean Industrial Deal, a controversial strategy intended to support struggling European industries while supposedly cleaning them up to make them fit for the green transition. Responding to calls from the industrial sector, particularly energy-intensive industries such as petrochemicals, the Clean Industrial Deal includes a … Read More.
HANGZHOU, China, February 19, 2025 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Hangzhou, engaging in the 62nd Session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — the UN body responsible for climate science — from February 24 to 28 and are available for comment. The IPCC meeting in Hangzhou aims … Read More.
Dangerous race to commercialize solar geoengineering technology accelerated WASHINGTON, February 12, 2025 — Last week, US-Israeli start-up Stardust Solutions cited and endorsed on its website a report describing its plans to develop and commercialize a highly controversial solar geoengineering technology. This would be a likely violation of the de facto moratorium on geoengineering at the … Read More.
WASHINGTON, February 6, 2025— The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) calls on world leaders to unequivocally denounce United States President Donald Trump’s unlawful proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza. Such actions are blatant and in direct violation of international law. CIEL also decries the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council and other … Read More.
Washington, DC, January 20, 2025—Today, as the 47th President of the United States is sworn into office, he vows in his inaugural speech that his administration will move to dismantle critical environmental protections and human rights safeguards through executive orders on his first day in office. The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) issues the … Read More.
THE HAGUE, December 13, 2024 — The International Court of Justice (ICJ) today concluded its historic hearings on the world’s biggest problem: climate change. Over the past two weeks, 15 judges heard arguments from over 100 countries and International organizations on the legal obligations of States in the context of the climate crisis and the … Read More.
BRUSSELS, December 3, 2024 — In anticipation of forthcoming scientific advice on solar radiation modification from the Group of Chief Scientific Advisors to the European Commission, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) has urged the Commission to recognize the unacceptable risks posed by solar geoengineering and support the growing political momentum for an international … Read More.
THE HAGUE, December 2, 2024 — Over 100 countries and international organizations will deliver their arguments on States responsibilities for climate change under international law during the International Court of Justice (ICJ) climate hearings between December 2-13. The Court’s advisory opinion will provide clarity on the legal duties of nations to safeguard people and the … Read More.
Majority of Countries Stand Strong Against Petrostate Pressure, But Negotiations Stall Yet Again BUSAN, Republic of Korea, December 2, 2024 — Plastics treaty negotiations have concluded in Busan after a week of largely closed-door sessions. The fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to advance a plastics treaty (INC-5) was meant to deliver what would … Read More.
BUSAN, Republic of Korea, November 29, 2024 — A broad coalition of observer organizations held a press conference outside of the fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to advance a plastics treaty. The organizations demanded that negotiators come together to show courage and not compromise in the final days of the negotiations. The organizations delivered the … Read More.
BUSAN, Republic of Korea, November 27, 2024 — More than 220 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists have registered to participate in the fifth and final scheduled session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to advance a global plastics treaty. The negotiation is expected to develop and deliver the final text of the future … Read More.
THE HAGUE, November 26, 2024— Experts from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) will closely monitor the climate hearings at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), scheduled to take place from December 2 to 13 in The Hague. They are available for comment on the proceedings, which will bring together some of the world’s … Read More.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 23, 2024 —The 29th UN Climate Conference (COP29) concluded today, with an atrociously inadequate new climate finance goal of $300 billion, after wealthy nations refused to pay up in line with their legal obligations to provide sufficient climate finance to the Global South—say experts at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). … Read More.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16, 2024— At least 480 lobbyists for companies and groups that advocate for a misguided technology that prolongs fossil fuel use have gained access to the COP29 climate talks, according to a new analysis* conducted by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). The number of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage lobbyists is … Read More.
BUSAN, Republic of Korea, November 13, 2024 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Busan, Republic of Korea and available for comment during the Fifth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to advance a plastics treaty from November 25 – December 1, 2025 CIEL experts will closely follow negotiations, tracking progress toward finalizing … Read More.
THE HAGUE, November 12, 2024 – The Court of Appeal in The Hague today delivered its ruling in Milieudefensie et al. v. Shell plc. This case, originally decided in 2021 by The Hague District Court, had ordered Shell to reduce its global carbon emissions by 45% by 2030, relative to 2019 levels, to align its … Read More.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 11, 2024—At the opening plenary of the 29th Climate Conference (COP29), States took the unprecedented decision to approve dangerous rules on carbon markets early and without due process. At its meeting in October, a small technical committee mandated to supervise carbon markets (the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body) took the unprecedented move of finalizing and … Read More.
WASHINGTON, November 6, 2024 — Donald J. Trump has been reelected to serve as the 47th President of the United States, promising an assault on environmental protections, immigrant communities, and fundamental rights. His agenda — now backed by significant control of the government — includes a reversal of climate-related regulations, undertaking the most extensive deportation … Read More.
CALI, Colombia, November 2, 2024 — The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) closed in the early morning hours today in Cali, marking a pivotal moment for global biodiversity protection with a historic decision on participation of Indigenous Peoples and People of African descent. In … Read More.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30, 2024 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be available for comment during the 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP29, November 11 – 22 in Baku. CIEL experts will monitor and engage in negotiations, particularly at the intersection of climate justice, … Read More.
GENEVA, October 29, 2024 —The Ethical Framework Principles for Climate Intervention Research, released last week by the American Geophysical Union (AGU) “as a guide to responsible decision-making and inclusive dialogue about geoengineering research,” represents yet another attempt at voluntary self-governance—which has historically proven ineffective, according to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Commenting on … Read More.
COP16 Can and Must Address Oil & Gas to “Make Peace with Nature” CALI, Colombia, October 17, 2024 – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will closely monitor the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) negotiations in Cali and are available to comment. Government … Read More.
Amidst mounting risks, policy guide urges financial institutions to exit the petrochemical industry WASHINGTON, Oct 15, 2024 — Petrochemicals pose significant and growing risks to human health and the climate, according to a new report urging financial institutions to stop financing the petrochemical sector. Exiting Petrochemicals: A Policy Guide for Financial Institution warns that continuing … Read More.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2024 — In a recent report, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation called on Canada to cease the operation of the Line 5 pipeline until the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent of affected Indigenous Peoples is secured. The report is the culmination of the … Read More.
GENÈVE, le 9 octobre 2024 – Selon le Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), le bilan d’action, publié aujourd’hui, du gouvernement sur la mise en œuvre d’un récent arrêt de la Cour Européenne des Droits de l’Homme en matière de climat représente une occasion manquée importante pour le pays d’aligner sa politique climatique sur la … Read More.
GENEVA, October 9, 2024 – Today’s Swiss government report on the implementation of a recent European Court of Human Rights’ groundbreaking climate ruling represents a significant missed opportunity for the country to align its climate policy with undisputed climate science, according to the Center for International Environmental Law, CIEL. On April 9, the Court ruled … Read More.
The Mendoza Supreme Court’s differential treatment occurred in a lawsuit over the authorization of fracking, or hydraulic fracturing, for extracting oil and gas from the Vaca Muerta formation in the Argentinian province. MENDOZA, Argentina, October 3, 2024—Civil society groups express concern about the Mendoza Supreme Court’s refusal to receive information about the dangerous impacts of … Read More.
Las diferencias de tratamiento por parte de la Suprema Corte de Justicia de Mendoza ocurrieron en el marco de una demanda acerca de la autorización del fracking o fractura hidráulica para explotar petróleo y gas de la formación Vaca Muerta en la provincia argentina. Mendoza, Argentina, 3 de octubre de 2024— Organizaciones de la sociedad civil … Read More.
NEW YORK, September 26, 2024 – As the 79th UN General Assembly and New York Climate Week draw to a close, momentum to reject solar geoengineering is growing. Countries across Africa, Latin America, the Pacific, and Europe have signaled their support for the Solar Geoengineering Non-Use Agreement initiative, which is already backed by over 500 … Read More.
Emissions from new petrochemical projects surpass US commercial aviation. WASHINGTON, Sept 24, 2024 — The US is poised for a petrochemical buildout that threatens critical climate targets and locks us into dangerous levels of greenhouse gas emissions for decades to come, according to a new report from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). Emissions … Read More.
NEW YORK, September 23, 2024—The UN Summit of the Future, which concludes today, brought together leaders from 193 UN member states on September 22-23 to revisit global governance in the face of escalating crises such as climate change, geopolitical tensions, and inequality. The resulting Pact for the Future, the Global Digital Compact, and the Declaration … Read More.
WASHINGTON, September 18, 2024—Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in New York and available for comment during the UN Summit of the Future from September 22-23, and Climate Week NYC 2024 from September 22-28. As New York City hosts both the opening of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly … Read More.
WASHINGTON, 29 de agosto del 2024—El Centro para el Derecho Internacional Ambiental (CIEL, por sus siglas en inglés) celebra la decisión unánime de la Corte Constitucional de Colombia que declaró este miércoles la constitucionalidad del Acuerdo de Escazú, y por lo tanto su entrada en vigor en el país. Este Acuerdo regional sobre el acceso … Read More.
WASHINGTON, August 29, 2024—The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) celebrates the unanimous decision by Colombia’s Constitutional Court on Wednesday declaring the constitutionality of the Escazú Agreement, thereby affirming its entry into force in the country This regional agreement on access to information, public participation, and justice in environmental matters represents a significant breakthrough for … Read More.
GENEVA, August 29, 2024 – The Swiss government’s August 28 statement rejecting the European Court of Human Rights’s groundbreaking climate ruling is an embarrassment for Switzerland, according to the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). On April 9, the Court found that Switzerland violated the European Convention on Human Rights by failing to implement sufficient … Read More.
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica, 20 de agosto de 2024—Hoy, más de 400 comunidades, pueblos, y actores de la sociedad civil entregan a la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (Corte IDH) la “Declaración de Manaos sobre los Derechos Humanos en la Emergencia Climática”. El documento, que recibió un amplio respaldo, insta a la Corte a que … Read More.
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, August 20, 2024 – Today, a coalition comprising over 400 communities, Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, and representatives of civil society presented the “Manaus Declaration on Human Rights in the Climate Emergency” to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACtHR). The widely endorsed declaration calls on the Court to articulate, in its … Read More.
WASHINGTON, August 14, 2024 — Following a Reuters story announcing the Biden-Harris Administration’s shift to favor production reduction in the ongoing global plastics treaty negotiations, Rachel Radvany, Environmental Health Campaigner at the Center for International Environmental Law issued the following statement: “We welcome the story that the United States is open to changing some of … Read More.
OTTAWA, Canada / TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHNAABEG PEOPLE, July 24, 2024 — Export Development Canada (EDC) has renewed a $200- to $300-million loan to oil and gas giant Enbridge Inc., despite environmental organizations raising the alarm about the serious climate consequences and human rights concerns of this financing. EDC is a federal … Read More.
SOFIA, Bulgaria, July 23, 2024 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Sofia, engaging in the 61st session of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — the UN body responsible for climate science — from July 26 to August 2 and are available for comment. The IPCC meeting in Sofia … Read More.
BRUSSELS, July 18, 2024 — Despite divisions among European Union (EU) Member States, Ursula von der Leyen has been re-elected as President of the European Commission after securing enough votes from the European Parliament. In reaction to von der Leyen’s appointment and in light of the EU’s Strategic Agenda and Political Guidelines 2024-29, Lili Fuhr, … Read More.
WASHINGTON, 16 de julio de 2024–Mañana, el Comité para la Eficacia en el Desarrollo (CODE) del Directorio Ejecutivo del Banco Mundial debatirá el proyecto del Marco de Remediación y Salida Responsable de la CFI, que pretende esbozar cómo la institución ofrecerá remedio a las comunidades perjudicadas por los proyectos que financia. Esta sería la … Read More.
WASHINGTON, July 16, 2024–Tomorrow, the Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE) of the World Bank Board of Executive Directors will discuss the IFC’s draft Remedy and Responsible Exit Framework, which is intended to outline how the institution will deliver remedy to communities harmed by projects it finances. This would be the first policy to focus … Read More.
WASHINGTON, June 26, 2024 – Even as awareness of the scale of the plastics crisis grows, the financial and economic impacts of that crisis on governments have received far less attention. A new report released today by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) — Making Plastic Polluters Pay: How Cities and States Can Recoup … Read More.
WASHINGTON, June 25, 2024 — The Center for International Environmental Law today announces that CIEL President and CEO Carroll Muffett will be stepping down from his role to become the new Executive Director of the Foundation for International Law for the Environment (FILE). Since joining CIEL in 2010, Carroll has led CIEL in greatly expanding its … Read More.
GENEVA, June 20, 2024 — The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is deeply alarmed by the findings of the recent UNEP report detailing the extensive environmental damage in Gaza. The report reveals that ongoing conflict has severely impacted Gaza’s energy, water, sanitation, and waste management systems, leading to dire consequences for human health and … Read More.
Negligible progress by negotiators at SB60 is wildly out of step with the urgency of the climate crisis BONN, Germany, June 13, 2024 — States gathered for climate talks in Bonn once again failed to take the steps needed to urgently tackle the key drivers of the climate crisis, deliver the necessary finance, and ensure … Read More.
Environmental and health advocates call for strong conflict of interest policies, open access, and transparency in global policy deliberations GENEVA, June 10, 2024 — Ahead of the third open-ended working group (OEWG) meeting of a UN Environment Assembly process to develop a Science-Policy Panel for informing global policy development around chemicals, waste, and the prevention … Read More.
ALAMEDA, Calif, June 5, 2024 — The Center for International Environmental Law welcomed the Alameda City Council’s decision to say no to a highly contentious geoengineering experiment, echoing concerns from civil society organizations from across the world. Alameda City Council members voted unanimously on June 4 against the go-ahead of a controversial experiment to test … Read More.
GENEVA, June 4, 2024 — CIEL’s experts react to this week’s launch of the University of Oxford-led “State of Carbon Dioxide Removal report” a global assessment of the state of carbon dioxide removal technologies worldwide. Lili Fuhr, CIEL’s Fossil Economy Program Director, released the following statement: “The launch of the State of CDR report highlights … Read More.
ALAMEDA, Calif, May 30, 2024 — Today, Friends of the Earth US and the Center for International Environmental Law call on the Alameda City Council to reject a highly contentious geoengineering experiment, echoing concerns from civil society organizations from across the world. Alameda City Council members are due to vote on June 4 on whether … Read More.
GENEVA, May 30, 2024 —Today, the Council of the European Union adopted the European Union’s proposal to leave the controversial Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), an international agreement protecting fossil fuel investments. After years of campaigning for an exit, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) celebrates this victory for people, the environment, and the climate. … Read More.
BONN, Germany, May 30, 2024 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts are in Bonn, Germany, engaging in international climate negotiations during the 60th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB60) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from June 2-13, and available for comment. The climate talks in Bonn take place against … Read More.
HAMBURG, Germany, May 21, 2024 — Today, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) issued a historic Advisory Opinion clarifying countries’ obligations to protect oceans from climate change. In the first-ever climate advisory opinion from an international court, ITLOS clearly stated that greenhouse gas emissions pollute the marine environment and States must … Read More.
WASHINGTON, May 20, 2024—Today, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) applied for arrest warrants for leaders of both Hamas and the State of Israel for war crimes and crimes against humanity, committed by Hamas from at least October 7 and by Israel on an ongoing basis since October 8. The Prosecutor announced reasonable … Read More.
HAMBURG, Germany, May 13, 2024 — Experts from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are closely monitoring and available to comment on an international court opinion expected to clarify actions required of States to protect oceans from climate change. The International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) opinion, expected on May 21, … Read More.
NEW YORK, May 2, 2024 — On April 26, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) once again called on Canada and the US to decommission Line 5. In its report, the UNPFII included the following recommendation: “The Permanent Forum reiterates that the Enbridge Line 5 oil pipeline jeopardizes the Great Lakes … Read More.
Undermined By Deep-Rooted Industry Influence — Plastics Treaty Negotiations Fall Short Of What Is Required to Fullfill Their Mandate OTTAWA, Canada, April 30, 2024 — A week of negotiations in Ottawa has ended, failing to sufficiently advance the plastics treaty ahead of the final talks later this year. The fourth session of the intergovernmental negotiating … Read More.
GENEVA, April 29, 2024 — This week, Azerbaijan, host of this year’s UN climate summit (COP29), announced that they intend to defend the right of oil and gas-producing nations to invest in the sector. As the host of COP29 in November, Azerbaijan will oversee negotiations among nearly 200 countries on how to raise more … Read More.
OTTAWA, Canada, April 25, 2024 — 196 fossil fuel and chemical industry lobbyists have registered for the critical fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to advance a global plastics treaty. A new analysis from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), in collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples Caucus, Greenpeace, the Break Free From … Read More.
Break Free From Plastic members and allies peacefully demand a human-rights based approach to the Plastics Treaty ahead of fourth round of negotiations OTTAWA, Canada | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People, April 21, 2024— Today, hundreds of impacted community leaders and experts from around the world came together in the streets of Ottawa … Read More.
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, April 18, 2024 — Less than two weeks after the top European human rights court condemned Switzerland’s inadequate action to combat climate change in a landmark ruling, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights will hold a first public hearing on its forthcoming Advisory Opinion on State obligations related to the climate emergency … Read More.
OTTAWA, Canada, April 10, 2024 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Ottawa and available for comment during the Fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) to advance a plastics treaty from April 23-29, 2024. CIEL experts will closely follow negotiations, tracking progress toward advancing a draft of the treaty text. In particular, they will … Read More.
STRASBOURG, France, April 9, 2024 — Today, the European Court of Human Rights issued a groundbreaking ruling in the Verein Klimaseniorinnen Schweiz and Others v. Switzerland climate case. The Court found Switzerland in violation of the European Convention on Human Rights for failing to implement sufficient measures to combat climate change. Center for International … Read More.
Astrid Puentes and Elisa Morgera have been Appointed as UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to a Healthy Environment and on Human Rights and Climate Change, respectively GENEVA, April 5, 2024 — Today, during its 55th session, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed Astrid Puentes for the position of UN Special Rapporteur on the right … Read More.
STRASBOURG, France, April 4, 2024 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will attend the April 9 public hearings at the European Court of Human Rights and will be available to comment on three forthcoming climate change and human rights rulings by the Court. The three landmark climate lawsuits are: KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland … Read More.
AMSTERDAM / SYDNEY / Suva, Fiji, March 22, 2024 — Today marks a significant milestone in the historic campaign to take climate change to the world’s highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), as the deadline for State written submissions closes. This moment follows on from the landmark resolution to seek an advisory … Read More.
WASHINGTON, March 11, 2024 — In a historic decision by the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), Canadian mining company Gabriel Resources lost its damage claim against the government of Romania. The company was ordered to reimburse Romania for the cost of arbitration, as well as a portion of the government’s legal costs. … Read More.
CIEL welcomed today’s report by UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, and his call for States to reject or suspend any offshore oil and gas activity that deprives small-scale fishers and fish workers of their fundamental human rights. GENEVA, March 7, 2024 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts are … Read More.
WASHINGTON, March 6, 2024 — Today, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) released its long-awaited climate disclosure rule, falling short of the robust standards that investors need and that the agency has the authority and responsibility to set. SEC Chair Gary Gensler had initially promised a rule that would provide investors with “consistent, comparable, … Read More.
DUBAI, UAE, March 5, 2024 — The Thirteenth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) closed with a Ministerial Statement on Plastic Pollution. The Ministerial Statement proposes a series of actions to curb trade in plastics, promotes “alternatives” and “substitutes” to plastics, and recognizes the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) process of the plastics treaty as … Read More.
The Mandate to Advance Negotiations for a Plastics Treaty Still Stands — Despite Efforts to Undermine the Upcoming Negotiations NAIROBI, Kenya, March 1, 2024 — The Ministerial Declaration of the Sixth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6) was adopted earlier today. The declaration includes a reaffirmation of UNEA resolution 5/14 — the mandate to create … Read More.
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica, February 29, 2024 — The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has formally announced two public hearings regarding their forthcoming Advisory Opinion on State obligations related to the climate emergency and human rights. The hearings, which will be held in Bridgetown, Barbados (April 23-25), and in Brasilia and Manaus, Brazil (May … Read More.
NAIROBI, Kenya, FEBRUARY 29, 2024— Climate-vulnerable states successfully blocked a dangerous push to legitimize solar geoengineering technologies, in a significant development welcomed by the Center for International Environmental Law during the sixth United Nations Environment Assembly, UNEA-6, in the Kenyan capital. Efforts by Switzerland, Monaco, Georgia, and Israel, which sought to establish an Expert Scientific … Read More.
WASHINGTON, February 9, 2024—The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) condemns Israel’s declared intention to forcibly transfer more than 1 million civilians from Rafah, Gaza. Forcible transfer of civilian populations is universally recognized as a war crime; and claims that such transfers are intended to protect civilians from hostilities do not withstand scrutiny. CIEL calls … Read More.
BRUSSELS, February 1, 2024 — Commenting on the European Union’s 2040 climate target and a proposed Industrial Carbon Management Strategy due to be presented by the EU’s executive Commission on February 6, CIEL Fossil Economy Program Director Lili Fuhr said: “‘Carbon management’ is a new code word for climate inaction and fossil fuel subsidies. … Read More.
NAIROBI, Kenya, December 15, 2023 — The second session of the Ad hoc Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG-2) on the Science-Policy Panel — to contribute further to the sound management of chemicals and waste and to prevent pollution — has ended with Member States taking promising steps toward creating the Panel. OEWG-2 has been tasked … Read More.
NEW YORK, December 15, 2023 — Today the Global Coalition of Civil Society, Indigenous Peoples, Social Movements, and Local Communities for the Universal Recognition of the Right to a Clean, Healthy, and Sustainable Environment accepted the prestigious 2023 United Nations Human Rights Prize. This month also marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration … Read More.
In the face of mounting climate chaos, incremental steps and loophole language are a leap backward. Experts are available to comment in Dubai as well as in the United States DUBAI, UAE, December 13, 2023 – The COP28 United Nations climate summit, which concluded today in Dubai, revealed a stark contrast between what people power, … Read More.