Le Refus de la Suisse de se Conformer Pleinement à l’Arrêt Historique sur le Climat de la Cour Européenne des Droits de l’Homme Sape la Crédibilité Internationale du Pays

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.

Switzerland’s Refusal to Fully Comply with Groundbreaking Climate Ruling Undermines the Country’s International Credentials

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.

Organizations Concerned by Mendoza Supreme Court Rejecting their Participation Fracking Litigation Case

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.

Preocupa a organizaciones que máximo tribunal de Mendoza rechace su participación en litigio sobre fracking, pero acepte la de la industria petrolera

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.

Political Momentum for Solar Geoengineering Non-Use Growing

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.

New Report Reveals US Petrochemical Buildout Undermines Global Climate Goals

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.

Victory: Colombia Strengthens Environmental Democracy with the Constitutionality of the Escazú Agreement

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.

Switzerland’s refusal to accept the European Court of Human Rights’ Climate Ruling: an Embarrassment for the Swiss Government

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.

Pueblos y Sociedad Civil Entregan a la CorteIDH la “Declaración de Manaos” Urgiendo Aclarar Obligaciones de los Estados en la Emergencia Climática

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.

CIEL Welcomes US’ Signaling a Change in Global Plastics Treaty Positions

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.

Declaración Conjunta de Sociedad Civil antes de la Decisión sobre el Marco de Remediación y Salida Responsable de la CFI

  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.

CIEL Leadership Transition

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.

Statement on the UNEP Assessment on Environmental Damage in Gaza

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.

UN Climate Talks in Bonn Fail to Put World on Path for Success at COP29

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.

CIEL and IPEN Urge Governments to Uphold Scientific Integrity in Development of New Science Policy Panel

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.

CIEL Welcomes City of Alameda’s No To Risky Geoengineering Experiment

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.

CIEL Experts React to the State of Carbon Dioxide Removal Report

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.

EU Exit from Energy Charter Treaty: Win for People, Environment, and Climate

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.

CIEL Experts Available to Comment on UN Climate Talks in Bonn

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.

Historic Climate Opinion: States Must Protect Oceans from Greenhouse Gas Emissions

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.

Experts Available: Historic Opinion on Climate and the Law of the Sea

  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.

Plastics Treaty Talks in Ottawa Sacrifice Ambition for Compromise

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.

Fossil Fuel Lobbyists Outnumber National Delegations, Scientists, and Indigenous Peoples at Plastics Treaty Negotiations

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.

March to End the Plastic Era, led by Indigenous Peoples and impacted community leaders, exposes how plastic poisons people across its full lifecycle

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.

CIEL Expert Availability at the Fourth Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-4) for a Plastics Treaty in Ottawa, Canada

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.

Historic Climate Ruling: States Must Step up Climate Action to Protect Human Rights

  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.

Major Milestone Reached in Historic Climate Judgement

  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.

CIEL Joins Roșia Montană Community in Celebrating Historic End to Struggle

  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 Expert Availability on the Risks of Oil & Gas Activity in the Oceans

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.

SEC’s Climate Disclosure Rule Omits Key Risks, Fails Investors and the Public

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.

WTO MC13 Recognizes the Importance of the Plastics Treaty Negotiations

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.

Empty Efforts to Derail Plastics Treaty Negotiations at UNEA-6 Fail

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.

Human Rights Court Must Prioritize Corporate Accountability in Climate Opinion

  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.

Climate Vulnerable Nations Reject US-led Push for Solar Geoengineering at UNEA-6

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.

CIEL Calls for Urgent International Action to Stop Israel’s International Crimes in Gaza

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.

Second Science Policy Panel Talks Demonstrate Substantial Progress

  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.

Global Coalition Makes History: First to Receive UN’s Top Human Rights Honor

  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.

475 Carbon Capture Lobbyists at COP28 Exposes Fossil Fuels’ Grip

  DUBAI, UAE, December 9, 2023 — A new analysis conducted by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) uncovered the presence of at least 475 lobbyists at COP28 specializing in Carbon Capture (Utilization) and Storage (CC(U)S) projects. This analysis comes three days after the Kick Big Polluters Out Coalition reported a record 2,456 fossil … Read More.

CIEL Expert Availability During COP28 in Dubai

  DUBAI, UAE, November 22, 2023 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be available for comment during the 28th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, COP28, from November 30 – December 12 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. CIEL experts will be closely following the negotiations and … Read More.

Ambition Meets Inertia in Third Session of Global Plastic Treaty Talks

Absent a Major Course Correction, Ottawa will host a “Polite but Massive Failure.” NAIROBI, Kenya, November 19, 2023 — A week of negotiations in Nairobi left all options on the table for a proposed Global Plastic Treaty but fell far short of the progress needed to deliver an ambitious treaty on an equally ambitious timeline. Governments … Read More.

Offshore Carbon Capture and Storage: No Solution to Fossil Fuel Pollution

New report exposes offshore CCS as a dangerous distraction from real progress on climate change WASHINGTON, November 16, 2023 — Offshore Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is no solution to fossil fuel pollution, according to a new report from the Center for International Environmental Law. Deep Trouble: The Risks of Offshore Carbon Capture and Storage … Read More.

CIEL Stands in Solidarity with the Peaceful Protests in Panama; Calls for Respect for the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Effective Implementation of the Escazú Agreement.

  WASHINGTON, November 15, 2023 —The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) stands in solidarity with partners, colleagues, and all of those who have  peacefully demonstrated in Panama. Thousands of people in both urban and rural areas of Panama have taken to the streets to demonstrate their rejection of metallic mining in response to g recent … Read More.

CIEL se une en solidaridad a las protestas pacíficas en Panamá; pide respeto a los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas y la aplicación efectiva del Acuerdo de Escazú

15 de noviembre de 2023 WASHINGTON, DC —El Centro para el Derecho Ambiental Internacional (CIEL, por sus siglas en inglés) se une en solidaridad con compañeros, compañeras, colegas, y todos aquellos quienes se han manifestado de forma pacífica en Panamá. Miles de personas tanto en las ciudades como en zonas rurales de Panamá, han salido … Read More.

CIEL Expert Availability at the Third Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) for a Plastics Treaty in Nairobi, Kenya

NAIROBI, Kenya, November 8, 2023 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Nairobi and available for comment during the Third Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-3) to advance a plastics treaty from November 13 – 19.  CIEL experts will closely follow negotiations, tracking progress toward adopting a mandate to advance the draft of … Read More.

Global Concerns Over Marine Geoengineering Echo Worldwide, Signaling United Stand for Regulations

More Than 100 Countries Announced their Intention to Regulate Harmful Technologies GENEVA / BERLIN, October 16, 2023 —The Center for International Environmental Law and the Heinrich Böll Foundation have welcomed a statement that indicates the intention to regulate four highly problematic marine geoengineering technologies. The Parties to the London Convention and Protocol, international treaties that regulate … Read More.

Climate Inaction Discriminates Against Youth, European Court Is Told

  STRASBOURG, France, September 27, 2023 — In a landmark climate lawsuit, the European Court of Human Rights heard today six youth plaintiffs from Portugal who argue that government inaction in 33 countries discriminates against young people and poses a risk to their lives and health.  The first hearing of the historic lawsuit Duarte Agostinho … Read More.

Climate Opinion Awaited as Historic Hearings Conclude at ITLOS

  HAMBURG, Germany, September 25, 2023 —Today, two weeks of public hearings regarding state responsibility for addressing the climate crisis came to a close at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS).  More than 50 states and organizations, including the Center for International Environmental Law, weighed in through written submissions and/or oral arguments. … Read More.

CIEL Experts Available to Comment on the Future of Global Chemicals Policy

  BONN, Germany, September 23, 2023 — Experts from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are available for comment on the future of global chemicals policy and how policymakers worldwide can work toward a toxic-free future. From September 23 to September 29, CIEL attorneys will participate in the negotiations to adopt a new international … Read More.

Misguided Climate Report Sidelines Proven Methods for Speculative Technologies

New ‘Climate Overshoot Commission’ Report Endorses Unproven Carbon Removal, Leaves Door Open to Risky Solar Geoengineering Experiments   NEW YORK, September 14, 2023 – The Center for International Environmental Law today expresses serious concerns about the new report released by the biased “Climate Overshoot Commission.” The Commission itself has been criticized by experts and its own participants. Several … Read More.

MEDIA BRIEF: Geoengineering & Human Rights

Authoritative statements and language from recent human rights expert reports MEDIA BRIEF September 11, 2023 Geoengineering technologies – carbon dioxide removal (CDR) and solar geoengineering or solar radiation modification (SRM technologies) – pose significant, unprecedented risks to a wide range of human rights. These risks disproportionately affect vulnerable and marginalized communities, and the technologies remain … Read More.

CIEL Experts Available to Comment on ITLOS Climate Hearing

  HAMBURG, Germany, September 11, 2023 — From September 11 to September 25, experts from the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) are following the public hearings at the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) on its advisory opinion related to state responsibility in the context of climate change and are available … Read More.

Indigenous Leaders Urge Canada to Pull Support for Line 5 Pipeline

  GENEVA, August 29, 2023 – This week, as United Nations Member States prepare to review Canada’s human rights record as part of the Universal Periodic Review, Indigenous communities and their allies are urging the government of Canada to respect their rights and oppose the Line 5 oil pipeline. Owned and operated by the Canadian … Read More.

CIEL Welcomes New UN Guidance on Children’s Rights and the Environment

  GENEVA, August 28, 2023 — CIEL welcomed today’s new authoritative United Nations guidance which recognizes the grave impacts of environmental crises on children’s rights and provides guidance on what governments must do to prevent, mitigate, and remediate such harms as a matter of their legally binding obligations. The UN Committee on the Rights of the … Read More.

UN Expert Calls on Canada to Shut Down Line 5 Oil Pipeline

August 25, 2023 GENEVA, CH — This month, an international human rights expert appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council released a report in which he recommends that Canada “cease construction or operation of the Coastal GasLink, Trans Mountain and Line 5 pipelines, until the free, prior and informed consent of the Indigenous Peoples … Read More.

Legal Principles Shed New Light on Human Rights of Future Generations

The New Principles Clarify and Crystalize International Law As It Applies To The Human Rights of Future Generations  NEW YORK, JULY 13, 2023 — As courts and governments worldwide increasingly grapple with finding a balance between pressing challenges and obligations to future generations, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) welcomes a new set of … Read More.

CIEL Reacts to EU Climate and Security Statement

Europe’s Response to the Threat of Solar Geoengineering Must Uphold the Precautionary Principle and Strengthen Restrictive Governance  GENEVA / BRUSSELS, June 29, 2023 — The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy adopted on 28 June, 2023 a Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council laying … Read More.

UN Climate Process Stalled by Delay & Denial

Despite Mounting Pressure and Momentum for Fossil Phaseout Globally, Once Again, the Talks Failed to Advance Urgent, Ambitious, and Equitable Climate Action BONN, Germany, June 15, 2023 — Governments at the climate negotiations at the 58th session of the Subsidiary Bodies to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (SB58) shamefully failed to reflect the urgent … Read More.

CIEL Experts Available to Comment on UN Climate Talks (SB58) in Bonn

  BONN, Germany, June 1, 2023 —  Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts are in Bonn, Germany, engaging in international climate negotiations during the 58th session of the Subsidiary Bodies (SB58) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) from June 5 to June 15, and available for comment. The climate talks in Bonn … Read More.

Plastics Treaty Negotiations Move Out of Deadlock, but Core Issues Remain Unsettled

  PARIS, May 31, 2023 — Following the adoption of the Rules of Procedure of the Second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) to develop the future plastics treaty, David Azoulay, Director of the Environmental Health Program at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), issued the following statement:  “We have lost a day and a half of … Read More.

CIEL Expert Availability at the Second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) for a Plastics Treaty in Paris, France

PARIS, May 24, 2023 — Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts are in Paris and available for comment during the Second Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-2) to advance a plastics treaty from May 29th – June 2nd.  CIEL experts will closely follow negotiations, tracking progress toward establishing a mandate for developing a zero draft of … Read More.

Reykjavik Summit Delivers a Roadmap to Protect the Right to a Healthy Environment

  STRASBOURG, France, May 17, 2023 — This week, Council of Europe (CoE) nations gathered for a once-in-a-generation summit in Reykjavik, Iceland. To demonstrate their unity in the face of the devastating Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, European governments met to reaffirm their commitment to core European values, including the rule of law, democracy, and human … Read More.

UNEP Announcement Curtails Public Participation in Upcoming Plastics Treaty Negotiations

  WASHINGTON, May 16, 2023 — Today’s announcement that UNEP will limit observer participation at the upcoming second intergovernmental negotiations committee to advance a plastics treaty (INC-2) was immediately met with objections from civil society organizations.  Jane Patton, Plastics and Petrochemicals Campaign Manager at the Center for International Environmental Law, issued the following statement:  “Observer … Read More.

UN Chemicals & Waste Negotiations Make Key Advances, Delay Already Overdue Protections, and Offer Lessons for Future Plastics Treaty

  GENEVA, May 12, 2023 — States at the United Nations Triple Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) made progress on key issues related to chemicals management. Parties voted to ban three highly toxic chemicals and introduce compliance mechanisms after more than 15 years of inaction. However, they once … Read More.

Thousands of Individuals Urge the International Finance Corporation to Guarantee Justice for Communities Harmed by Development Projects

April 13, 2023 WASHINGTON, DC — This week, 4,577 individuals from around the world demanded that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) guarantee justice for communities harmed by international development projects. An alliance of civil society organizations (CSOs) hand-delivered the thousands of signatures in a petition to the IFC Board. The call echoes a similar statement … Read More.

UN Warns of Violations of Indigenous Peoples’ Rights in Panama

UN Treaty Bodies express concern about Panama’s Fourth Electrical Transmission Line Project, call on Panama to respect Indigenous peoples’ right to free, prior & informed consent April 11, 2023 (español aquí) GENEVA (CH) — In March, two United Nations bodies issued their findings about the situation of human rights in Panama, revealing that the Panamanian … Read More.

IPCC Sums Up Latest Climate Science: Rapid Fossil Phase-out is Surest Path to Avoiding Climate Catastrophe, No Time For False Solutions

March 20, 2023 Geneva and Interlaken (CH) – The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) — the UN body responsible for climate science — released its latest Synthesis Report, including a Summary for Policymakers, summarizing key findings from six major IPCC reports published since 2014.  In this latest report, the IPCC once again unequivocally warns … Read More.

EPA Petitioned to Halt Export of U.S.-Banned Pesticides to Developing Countries Unless Approved by Their Governments

Export of Toxic Pesticides Harms Indigenous Peoples, Vulnerable Populations March 8, 2023 WASHINGTON (US) — The Center for Biological Diversity and the Center for International Environmental Law filed a legal petition today urging the Environmental Protection Agency to forbid the export of pesticides banned in the United States to any country without prior consent of … Read More.

Center for International Environmental Law Staff React to Developments During the Latest Negotiations for a Toxic-Free Future

March 3, 2022 NAIROBI (KE) — The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) welcomed the incremental steps taken by States and stakeholders to establish a new framework to promote global chemical safety at United Nations negotiations this past week. The resumed fourth meeting of the intersessional process considering the Strategic Approach and sound management of chemicals … Read More.