6 May 2005, Punta del Este, Uruguay CIEL joins the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN) in congratulating Parties to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) for keeping the promise at the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties in Punta del Este, Uruguay. IPEN views the Stockholm Convention as a promise by … Read More.
For Immediate Release, 25 April 2005 (Washington, D.C.) Free-range chicken eggs in chemical “hot spots” around the world contain traces of highly toxic chemicals at alarming levels – many at levels that far exceed European Union (EU) proposed or existing limits, according to two new studies by the International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN). The studies … Read More.
April 26, 2005 There is an urgent need for concrete steps to achieve mutual supportiveness between the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the World Trade Organisation Melendez Ortiz (ICTSD), the facilitators of a workshop on the linkages between the international trade and biodiversity regimes during this year’s annual WTO Public Symposium. Of particular urgency … Read More.
Fourth meeting of the Working Group of the Parties Geneva, 1-4 February 2005 A central pillar of the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters adopted on 25th June 1998 (Aarhus Convention) is to provide for public participation in decision-making on environmental matters. However, decisions … Read More.
February 2005 Consumers and human rights organizations have petitioned an arbitral investment tribunal administered by the World Bank International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), requesting transparency and participation in the arbitration proceedings initiated by privatized public services companies against Argentina. On January 27, 2005, the Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS), the … Read More.
February 4, 2005 An Experts Meeting on the WIPO Development Agenda and Treaty on Access to Knowledge (A2K) was held from February 3-4, 2005 in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting was organized by the Consumer Project on Technology (CPTech), Third World Network (TWN), and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). The purpose of … Read More.
December 15, 2004, Buenos Aires, Argentina Ms. Sheila Watt-Cloutier, elected Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC), announced tonight that the ICC will soon petition the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, seeking a declaration that emissions of greenhouse gases that are destroying the Inuit way of life are a violation of human rights. Ms. Watt-Cloutier made … Read More.
December 7, 2004 The Honorable Robert Zoellick United States Trade Representative 600 17th St. NW Washington, DC 20508 Dear Ambassador Zoellick: We are writing to express our views regarding the proposed appellate mechanism for the Investment Chapter of the Dominican Republic and Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). We believe that an inappropriately designed appellate … Read More.
November 2004 To The Editor It is not correct, as the Post claims (Kyoto Ratification, Nov. 6), that the Kyoto Protocol is a “mostly symbolic treaty.” The Protocol requires industrialized countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions about 5% below 1990 levels. Because “business as-usual” emissions are projected to rise an additional 15% or so … Read More.
October 2004 By Fiona Marshall, Fellow, Center for International Environmental Law A central pillar of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (the Aarhus Convention) is to provide for public participation in decision-making on environmental matters. However, decisions on … Read More.
October 29, 2004 During the upcoming Intergovernmental Committee on Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources, Traditional Knowledgeand Folklore (IGC), which will take place in Geneva from November 1-5, 2004, CIEL and the Bern Declaration will host a side event focusing on ways the patent system may support the objectives and provisions of the Convention on Biolgoical … Read More.
September 2004 Advocates for Environmental Human Rights • Alaska Community Action on Toxics • American Rivers • Beyond Pesticides • The Breast Cancer Fund • Center for Environmental Health • Center For Health, Environment and Justice • Center for International Environmental Law • Circumpolar Conservation Union • Citizens’ Environmental Coalition • Clean Production Action • Clean Water Action … Read More.
September 2004 CIEL applauds Russia’s decision to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, thereby ensuring the Protocol will soon enter into force. Like many NGOs from all over the world, CIEL has worked very hard for this achievement. Sadly, this good news is tempered by the continued refusal of the United States government to participate in the … Read More.
CIEL offers one ad-honorem fellowship each year, the Louis B. Sohn Fellowship in Human Rights and Environment, for public interest lawyers that have had significant on the ground experience working on human rights issues. The LBS Fellowship will cover the cost of attending a strategic meeting on human rights and the environment. Past Louis B. … Read More.
September 27, 2004 The undersigned NGOs fully welcome and support the presentation of a proposal for the Establishment of a “Development Agenda” for the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), introduced by Brazil and Argentina. It will be discussed at the WIPO General Assembly beginning on September 27, 2004. Over the last few years developing countries … Read More.
August 2004 In the upcoming months, the reservoir of the Ralco dam, one of a series of dams along the Upper BíoBío River in Southern Chile, will destroy the pristine mountain ecosystem and will permanently and irreversibly disrupt the semi-nomadic lifestyle and cosmovision of the Mapuche/Pehuenche people. At the same time, the communities affected by … Read More.
July 16, 2004 According to Inside EPA, Rep. Paul Gillmor (R-OH), chairman of the House energy committee’s Environment and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, said it would be “pretty hard” and not “feasible” for the subcommittee to vote at this time on his bill to implement the Persistent Organic Pollutants [POPs] treaty. Rep. Gillmor made his … Read More.
July 2004 On July 13, CIEL Senior Attorney Glenn Wiser testified before the House Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials on the Chair’s June 17 legislative proposal for amending the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to implement the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Mr. Wiser testified on behalf of CIEL plus several of our … Read More.
July 2004 Eight states – California, Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin – and the City of New York filed a claim today against five of the nation’s largest power companies. These companies account for about 10% of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions, and the lawsuit seeks to compel the utilities … Read More.
June 29, 2004 The Tribunal (Methanex v. U.S.A.) c/o The International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes MSN: MC 6-611 1818 H Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20433 Re: Methanex Corporation v. United States of America, Application of Amici for Leave to File a Post-Hearing Written Submission Dear Messrs. Veeder, Rowley and Reisman: Please find enclosed … Read More.
June 7, 2004 Contact: Marcos Orellana, Director, Human Rights & Environment Program, [email protected] WHO: Three-Member Arbitral Panel administered by ICSID (International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes) WHAT: Hearing in the case Methanex Corporation v. United States of America WHERE: Ground Floor of the MC Building of the World Bank (adjacent to the … Read More.
June 2, 2004 On the eve of the first hearing in a controversial World Trade Organization (WTO) case challenging European Union (EU) policies on genetically modified organisms (GMOs), a coalition of environmental, agriculture and consumer organizations submitted an amicus brief challenging the case against the EU. The amicus brief argues that WTO rules must give … Read More.
May 17, 2005 After years of effort by governments, indigenous organizations, and environment and health groups throughout the world, a milestone in international chemicals management was reached today when the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS) entered into force. “This landmark treaty addresses an entire class of some of the most dangerous synthetic chemicals … Read More.
April 5, 2004 Subject: Analysis of Department of Justice Letter Regarding the Constitutionality of Mandatory Notice and Comment Provisions Proposed in Implementing Legislation for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Prepared by: Glenn Wiser, Senior Attorney, CIEL This memorandum critiques arguments contained in a letter dated March 25, 2004 from William Moschella, … Read More.
American Rivers * Center for International Environmental Law * Defenders of Wildlife * Environmental Defense * Environmental Working Group * Friends of the Earth * Greenpeace * League of Conservation Voters * National Environmental Trust * National Wildlife Federation * Natural Resources Defense Council * Oceana * The Ocean Conservancy * Pesticide Action Network North … Read More.
Memorandum April 5, 2004 Subject: Analysis of Department of Justice Letter Regarding the Constitutionality of Mandatory Notice and Comment Provisions Proposed in Implementing Legislation for the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Prepared by: Glenn Wiser, Senior Attorney, CIEL This memorandum critiques arguments contained in a letter dated March 25, 2004 from … Read More.
May 11, 2004 The Environmental Law Institute has published an article by CIEL attorney Greg Foote, pointing out how the U.S. Clean Air Act can be used to limit CO2 emissions from new coal-fired power plants. The article, “Considering Alternatives: The Case for Limiting CO2 Emissions from New Power Plants Through New Source Review,” appeared … Read More.
April 6, 2004 We agree with some portions of the TEPAC Report and disagree with other portions. We also have additional views on some issues that are either not touched upon or referenced only briefly in the Report, but which we believe that Congress should consider. We are thus submitting these additional comments based on … Read More.
OCEANA * WORLD WILDLIFE FUND * BEYOND PESTICIDES * NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST * CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL LAW * PHYSICIANS FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY * 20/20 VISION * DEPARTMENT OF THE PLANET EARTH * PESTICIDE ACTION NETWORK NORTH AMERICA * DELTA INSTITUTE * ARIZONA TOXICS INFORMATION * SIERRA CLUB * ALASKA COMMUNITY ACTION ON TOXICS Re: … Read More.
March 10, 2004 Contact Info: Martin Wagner, Earthjustice 510-550-6714 Marcos Orellana, Center for International Environmental Law, 202-785-8700 Elisa Lynch, Bluewater Network 415-544-0790 x15 Adrienne Bloch, Communities for a Better Environment, 510-302-0430 x203 San Francisco, CA– A coalition of environmental groups presented arguments today to the NAFTA dispute resolution panel hearing a foreign corporation’s challenge to … Read More.
March 23, 2004 CIEL, in its role on the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC), helped shape TEPAC’s advice letters to Congress on the U.S.- Australia Free Trade Agreement and the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). In a separate statement attached to the report, CIEL argues that the investment provisions of the agreements … Read More.
March 9, 2004 During 2003-2004, the U.S. government has engaged in revising its model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT) and recently produced a draft model BIT. The impact of this model BIT is amplified by the fact that often negotiations between the United States and other governments will conclude by adopting the model unchanged (or with … Read More.
February 1, 2004 The Conference of the Parties is the highest decision-making body of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which promotes the protection of biodiversity as a foundation for ecosystem and human health. To date the Conference of the Parties has held 6 ordinary meetings, and one extraordinary meeting to adopt the Biosafety Protocol. … Read More.
February 17, 2004 After years of effort by governments, indigenous organizations, and environment and health groups throughout the world, a milestone in international chemicals management was reached this week when France became the fiftieth country to ratify the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPS). “This landmark treaty addresses an entire class of some of … Read More.
RE: Oppose the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) – Recently Released Text Falls Short on Environment February 17, 2004 Dear Member of Congress: On behalf of our millions of members, we are writing to express our opposition to the recently released text of the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The agreement would allow … Read More.
February 10, 2004 On January 30, 2004, the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) adopted procedures (http://www.worldbank.org/icsid/methanex.htm) for non-disputing party participation set out in part B of the Statement of the NAFTA Free Trade Commission on such participation regarding the Methanex vs. the United States case. In October of 2000, Earthjustice assisted … Read More.
January 16, 2004 Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I want to thank you for the opportunity to address you today. I will briefly introduce my organization, the Center for International Environmental Law, and then address three specific topics: investment, the recent trend towards bilateral trade and investment agreements, and a few comments on the environmental … Read More.
January 13, 2004 Honorable Robert B. Zoellick United States Trade Representative Room 209A 600 17th Street, NW Washington, DC 20508 Subject: Enhanced Access to Information and Ability to Participate Effectively Dear Ambassador Zoellick: Earlier this fall organizations from a number of countries around the globe met to create a network dedicated to promoting access to … Read More.
January 29, 2004 CIEL supports the American Library Association and others by signing on to a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick urging access to information and transparency in bilateral and regional trade negotiations. In a recent Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, CIEL and others sent letters to the United States Trade Representative … Read More.
January 29, 2004 Statement of the U.S. Alliance for Responsible Trade (also available in Spanish) Intellectual Property in the FTAA: Little Opportunity and Much Risk (also available in Spanish) Statement of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (also available in Spanish)
January 21, 2004 The Preparatory Committee for the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) XI is holding “hearings” with representatives from Member States, civil society and the private sector on 16 January and 23 February 2004. The one-day hearings are designed as vehicle for civil society and the private sector to provide input … Read More.
December 22, 2003 Ms. Sybia Harrison Freedom of Information Act Officer United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20508 Dear Ms. Harrison: Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, Friends of the Earth – U.S., on behalf of itself, the Center for International Environmental Law, Natural … Read More.
December 19, 2003 Ms. Sybia Harrison Freedom of Information Act Officer United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20508 Dear Ms. Harrison: Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552, the Center for International Environmental Law, on behalf of itself and Friends of the Earth – US, Natural … Read More.
December 2003 At the Ninth Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate Change (December 10, Milan, Italy), Sheila Watt-Cloutier, Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Conference (ICC), announced that the ICC is considering filing a claim with the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights against the United States for the harm global warming is … Read More.
December 2003 Summary The Kyoto Protocol is based on a system for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions called cap-and-trade. Cap-and-trade establishes emissions budgets for all participating countries and allows them to trade parts of their budgets with other participating countries. Under Kyoto rules, trading can occur at the governmental level or between private entities. Cap-and-trade … Read More.
October 29, 2003 CIEL is particularly concerned with the legal, environmental, and social ramifications of the proposed BTC Pipeline Project. CIEL’s primary concerns focus on three different realms of the project. First, CIEL finds that the BTC Project’s legal regime is an example of a trend in investment liberalization and protection that undermines democratic structures … Read More.
November 24, 2003 Americas Trade and Sustainable Development Forum INVESTMENT TENT Convened By The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) The International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Synthesis of Major Concerns On the Economics of Foreign Investment: Foreign direct investment (FDI) has the potential to increase well being by fostering economic development through transfer of … Read More.
Seminar on Environmental Subsidy Reform – How to Tackle Harmful Subsidies Prague, November 21, 2003 Organized by the European Environment Bureau (EEB) The Seminar on Environmental Subsidy Reform – How to Tackle Harmful Subsidies aims, among other things, at promoting “subsidy reform as an instrument to move towards greater sustainability in a cost-effective way”. … Read More.
October, 2003 The McCain-Lieberman “Climate Stewardship Act (CSA)” is scheduled for a vote in the Senate this Thursday, October 30. “This is the first legislative proposal to deal seriously and comprehensively with the problem of global warming,” said Donald M. Goldberg, Senior Attorney with the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). “We can’t afford to … Read More.
October, 2003 On October 30, 2003, the Senate voted, 43-55, to defeat the McCain-Lieberman “Climate Stewardship Act”. The CSA would have returned emissions of greenhouse gases in most major sectors of the economy to 2000 levels by 2010. It was the first serious attempt in Congress to stem the growth of emissions and grapple … Read More.
November 2003 The International Tribunal for Crimes Committed by Latifundiums in Pará, took place in Belém (Pará, Brazil) from October 27-30, 2003. The Tribunal was held with the objective of drawing national and international attention to the repeated acts of violence and human rights violations committed by latifundiums (large land holders) in the northern Brazilian … Read More.
September 22, 2003 When it was created 10 years ago, the World Bank Inspection Panel (WBIP) was an innovative mechanism for accountability and governance. Most importantly, the panel provides a means for ensuring that World Bank policies and procedures are implemented by addressing the concerns of people who might be affected by Bank projects — … Read More.
September, 2003 CIEL is organizing a session on “Implementing prior informed consent in access agreements in light of the Bonn Guidelines” at the upcoming Global Biodiversity Forum (GBF) in Cancun, Mexico, in September, 1993. The GBF was founded in 1993 by The World Conservation Union (IUCN), the World Resource Institute (WRI), the United Nations Environment … Read More.
September 23, 2003 CIEL joins the many states and environmental groups who have condemned the Bush Administration’s August 28 denial of a petition to regulate emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases under the federal Clean Air Act. At a time when the United States should be joining the world community in taking prompt, … Read More.
September 3, 2003 From September 10-14, 2003, the World Trade Organization (WTO) will meet in Cancun, Mexico. The meeting, held once every two years, will bring together the trade ministers of over 140 countries, will assess progress to date on the Doha round of trade talks (due to conclude by the end of 2004) and … Read More.
August 1, 2003 The Honorable Robert Zoellick United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street N.W. Washington, DC 20508 Dear Ambassador Zoellick: As you know, the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial meeting in Cancun this coming September will decide whether the WTO will undertake negotiations on investment liberalization as part of a package of so-called new … Read More.
September 2003 CIEL and other civil society groups , including IATP, IGTN, Oxfam, PSI, TWN and WWF, call for fair, transparent, and participatory WTO negotiating processes. The Center for International Environmental Law has signed onto a joint NGO letter directed to the Ambassadors at Missions in Geneva, Trade Ministers in capital, the WTO Director General, … Read More.
July 9, 2003 Dear Member of Congress: As Congress prepares to consider the U.S.-Chile and U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), we are writing to convey our concerns regarding the environmental implications of these agreements. We urge Congress to insist that the environmental safeguards in these agreements be strengthened and to reject the use of … Read More.
June, 2003 IPEN Steering Committee’s submission to SAICM The IPEN Steering Committee prepared a paper on a Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) in response to a call for contributions by UNEP on possible draft elements of a SAICM. All submissions received will be summarized in a UNEP paper and presented to the SAICM … Read More.
June, 2003 CIEL, working with the World Wildlife Fund and other environmental and health groups, helps develop a “U.S. Declaration of Independence from Hazardous Chemicals.” The signed declaration will be presented to the European Commission as a statement of U.S. popular support for European efforts to adopt safer alternatives to hazardous chemicals. Click here to … Read More.
June, 2003 For many years, the Pehuenche communities of the Alto BíoBío in southern Chile have been struggling against the construction of hydro-electric dams in their territories that would irreversibly disrupt their indigenous culture and destroy their ancestral lands. The complaint filed with the CAO in July 2002 seeks concrete remedies to resolve outstanding … Read More.
June 13, 2003 Dear Mr. Varma Civil society organizations around the world call on the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) to incorporate the recommendations of the World Commission on Dams (WCD) into their new Code of Ethics. This call coincides with the 21st Congress of ICOLD being held in Montréal, June 16-20, 2003. As … Read More.
June 27, 2003 CIEL staff organized and contributed to panels addressing trade, investment and the environment in a public symposium in Geneva on June 16 – 18 that convened nearly a thousand participants. The World Trade Organization (WTO) hosted “Challenges Ahead on the Road to Cancun“, a lead-up event to its 5th Ministerial Conference in … Read More.
June 25, 2003 Ambassador Robert B. Zoellick United States Trade Representative 600 17th Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20508 Dear Ambassador Zoellick, I write regarding the grant of jurisdiction regarding investment agreements and authorizations contained in the U.S.-Chile and U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). I understand from a letter that the American Bankers Association and other … Read More.
May 6, 2003 We, members of civil society organizations from developing and developed countries, explicitly reject the launch of negotiations on investment and the other Singapore Issues at the Ministerial Conference in Cancun this September. We have gathered from a broad spectrum of civil society groups, including groups working on development, environment, faith-based, social, labor, … Read More.
April 23, 2003 Washington, D.C.: NAFTA’s environmental commission issued a report today that outlines the failure of the United States to enforce U.S. laws against loggers that prohibit the killing of migratory birds. After reviewing two cases in which loggers killed migratory birds or destroyed their eggs and nests, the commission concluded that the failure … Read More.
April 17, 2003 The WTO Services Negotiations – Some Strategic Considerations CIEL staff co-authored this paper for the South Centre, a Geneva based inter-governmental organization that works to reflect the views of the South. This paper forms part of the South Centre’s work to assist developing countries analyze and employ negotiating strategies in their services … Read More.
April 9, 2003 The Honorable George Bush President of the United States of America The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20500 Dear President Bush: Tomorrow you will be meeting with the Presidents of Central America to discuss a Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) that you have stated will bring prosperity to … Read More.
March, 2003 Together with other Geneva based NGOs (IATP, Oxfam, PSI, TWN and WWF), CIEL convened a series of meetings addressing possible future WTO rules on investment and other “new issues” (competition, trade facilitation and government procurement) Events addressing the Potential Implications of a WTO Investment Agreement Geneva, March 18-21, 2002 Human rights and … Read More.
Peoples World Water Forum March 21 and 22, 2003, Florence, Italy While governments and the private sector from all over the world convened at the Third World Water Forum in Japan from 16 to 23 March, 2003, a number of civil society organizations, including CIEL, participated in parallel events in order to propose … Read More.
At the World Social Forum held in Porto Alegre, Brazil January 26, 2003 Organized by the Center for International Environmental Law Speakers: Jorge Daniel Taillant, Center for Human Rights and Environment (CEDHA), Argentina Daria Calguire, International Network for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, (ESCR-Net), USA Marcos Orellana, Center for International Environmental Law, Chile Ryan Zinn, … Read More.
February 21, 2003 Mr. Enrique Iglesias President, Inter-American Development Bank 1300 New York Avenue, N.W., E1213 Washington, DC 20577 Dear Mr. Iglesias: The three cases currently before the Independent Investigation Mechanism (IIM) of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), i.e., the Yacyreta, Cañabrava, and Termoeléctrica del Golfo cases, are revealing systemic problems with the structure … Read More.
Citizens excluded from $25 million suit against Bolivia for company’s failed water privatization scheme For Immediate Release, February 12, 2003 For more information, please contact: Martin Wagner, Earthjustice (Oakland, CA) 510-550-6714 Marcos Orellana, CIEL (Washington, DC) 202-785-8700 Jim Shultz, The Democracy Center (Bolivia) 011 591 4 429 0725 Washington, DC-The Bechtel Corporation was handed a … Read More.
February 28, 2003 CIEL, in its role on the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee, helped shape TEPAC’s advice letters to Congress on the Free Trade Agreements with Chile and Singapore. In a separate statement attached to the report, CIEL argues that the investment provisions of the agreements are problematic and fail to meet the … Read More.
2003 World Social Forum The Third World Social Forum was held in Porto Alegre, Brazil from January 23 – 28, 2003. Around 100,000 participants from over 176 countries attended. CIEL hosted a workshop on Human Rights and the Environment on January 26 from 9 a.m. to noon. Environmental and human rights issues are closely … Read More.
Asian Social Forum 2003 The Asian Social Forum (ASF) was held in Hyderabad, India, from January 2 – 7, 2003, as part of the regional meetings of the World Social Forum. CIEL and the Environmental Justice Initiative organized a workshop at the ASF titled “Environmental Justice: Linking Human Well-Being and the Environment” on January 6, … Read More.
FTAA Negotiations Next Target for Public Access February 3, 2003 The Bush Administration today made public documents revealing U.S. and foreign government positions in trade negotiations concerning the recently completed U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement. The documents offer the public its first view of a trade negotiating process conducted behind closed doors that will have dramatic … Read More.
North America/South Asia Conversation on Environmental Justice December, 2002 In collaboration with the Environmental Justice Initiative and the Ford Foundation, CIEL organized and co-hosted a North America/South Asia Conversation on Environmental Justice from December 2 – 6, 2002 in Sariska, India. Believed to be the first ever of its kind, the conversation was designed to … Read More.
Ruling sets precedent for greater transparency in FTAA and future negotiations December 19, 2003 Washington, DC – A U.S. District Court today ordered the Bush administration to make public documents by revealing U.S. and foreign government positions in trade negotiations with potential impacts on domestic public health, labor, and environmental laws. The court ordered the … Read More.
November 2002 The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), recently concluded in Johannesburg, South Africa, had sustainable energy high on its agenda while global warming was missing in action. This disconnect virtually guaranteed that key decisions would fall short of the mark. The most important decisions were made elsewhere, when China and Russia, the world’s … Read More.
November 5, 2002 The following are the Center for International Environmental Law’s (CIEL’s) comments on the September 25, 2002 Draft “Review of IFC’s Safeguard Policies“. CIEL thanks the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and its Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman (CAO) office for this opportunity to comment on the Safeguard Policy (SP) Review. For nearly a decade, CIEL has … Read More.
The mini-ministerial in Australia is a step in the wrong direction for the WTO* November 2002 Civil society groups from around the world call upon the 145 WTO member states and their trade ministers to follow transparent and inclusive procedures and reject the use of ‘unofficial’ and exclusive mini-ministerials in the run-up to the … Read More.
October 17, 2002 Dear Member of the Congressional Oversight Group on Trade Policy: We are writing to you in your role as a member of the Congressional Oversight Group (COG) on trade policy to share our views about the proposals for investment provisions in trade agreements that were recently presented orally by the Office … Read More.
September 19, 2002 Ambassador Robert B. Zoellick United States Trade Representative 600 17th St., NW Washington, DC 20508 Dear Ambassador Zoellick: We write regarding the General Treatment provision in the context of negotiations of the upcoming United States-Chile and other free trade agreements and bilateral investment agreements. As you well know, the environmental community … Read More.
September 2002 The World Summit on Sustainable Development was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from August 26 to September 4, 2002. The Law and Communities program participated in several ways during the WSSD. 1) CBPR Panel: The L&C program organized a panel on Community-Based Property Rights held at the WSSD Civil Society Forum on August … Read More.
Statement on investment for the September 2002 WTO Investment Meeting On 16 – 17 September 2002 WTO Members, meeting as the Working Group on the Relationship between Trade and Investment (WGTI), will hold their third formal meeting since the Doha Ministerial Conference. CIEL, IATP and Oxfam are concerned that this meeting constitutes another step … Read More.
August 29, 2002 Contact Info: Soren Ambrose (Washington, DC) 202-285-5836 Martin Wagner, Earthjustice (Oakland, CA) 510-550-6714 Jim Shultz, The Democracy Center (Bolivia) 011 591 4 429 0725/001-591-707-43631, [email protected] Marcos Orellana, CIEL, 202-785-8700 More than three hundred citizens groups from 41 countries presented a petition to a World Bank-affiliated court today, demanding that it allow … Read More.
July 29, 2002 Re: Oppose H.R. 3009, the Fast Track Conference Report Dear Member of Congress: On behalf of the more than one million members of our organizations, we urge you to oppose H.R. 3009, the fast track conference report. Trade agreements should promote environmental stewardship and guard against the weakening of environmental standards. Unfortunately, … Read More.
June 13, 2002 In their June 2002 services negotiating session, WTO Members moved further towards liberalizing trade in services, including energy, transport, tourism, and basic education and health services. WTO Members are likely to initiate a new bargaining phase to increase market access in such services without having conducted a thorough and comprehensive assessment … Read More.