Dharmesh Shah Consulting Senior Campaigner (Plastics Treaty) Dharmesh Shah is the Consulting Senior Campaigner with CIEL’s Environmental Health Program and is based out of India. His work focuses primarily on strategy, coordination, support and mobilizing of the diverse coalition of civil society organizations co-leading the efforts to deliver an effective global plastics treaty. Before joining … Read More.
Daniela Duran Gonzalez Senior Legal Campaigner (Upstream Plastics Treaty) Daniela Duran (she/her) is a Senior Legal Campaigner focused on the upstream parts of the plastics treaty for CIEL’s Environmental Health program. She is a Colombian campaigner, with relevant experience influencing national and international plastic policy. Daniela supports CIEL’s efforts to ensure the inclusion of adequate … Read More.
Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) Experts Track the UN Triple Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions May 1st, 2023 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 … Read More.
Delphine Levi Alvares Global Petrochemicals Campaign Manager Delphine Lévi Alvarès (she/her) is the Global Petrochemicals Campaign Manager in CIEL’s Fossil Economy program, based in Brussels (Belgium). Her work focuses primarily on coordinating the implementation of the Break Free from Plastic movement’s global petrochemicals strategy and fostering synergies with other movements fighting industries related to petrochemicals, … Read More.
Fertilizers and pesticides are interdependent inputs to a destructive food production model that is contributing to catastrophic biodiversity collapse, toxic pollution, and the violation of human rights. But there is an often-overlooked dimension of the threat posed by these agrochemicals: their fossil fuel origins. Synthetic nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides are fossil fuels in another form, … Read More.
A BRS Cha-Cha: UN Chemicals Negotiations Make Some Key Advances, Delay Already Overdue Protections, and Offer Lessons for Future Plastics Treaty FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, June 17, 2022 Geneva, Switzerland — At the conclusion of the United Nations Triple Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions (BRS COPs) today, Parties made critical … Read More.
Center for International Environmental Law Experts Will Be Attending the United Nations Triple Conferences of the Parties to the Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions in Geneva GENEVA, CH, June 3rd, 2022 – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be attending the upcoming United Nations chemicals and waste negotiations at the Triple Conferences of … Read More.
December 8th, 2021 BRUSSELS — In a bid to become a global leader on reducing methane emissions, the European Commission plans to table its proposal for a Methane Regulation this 14 December – but it’s expected that it will not include full coverage of supply chains, nor inclusion of petrochemicals, as the European Parliament had … Read More.
Here at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), we know our strength comes from the people who make up our movement — from our staff, to our partners, to our steadfast supporters. Our “Meet Our Staff” series will introduce you to some of our amazing staff members, who work behind the scenes every day … Read More.
A new multi-media report shows, for the first time, the Permian Basin’s huge global climate impact and environmental justice threat to communities from New Mexico to the Gulf Coast. October 19, 2021 El Paso, TX — Oil Change International, Earthworks, and the Center for International Environmental Law are releasing a new multi-media report series entitled The Permian … Read More.
Hélionor De Anzizu Staff Attorney, Environmental Health Program Helionor de Anzizu is an Attorney qualified in Paris, working at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). At CIEL, Helionor works on environmental issues in the context of international trade and investment law and in particular regarding plastic pollution, fossil fuels, human rights violations, climate change … Read More.
Here at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), we know our strength comes from the people who make up our movement — from our staff, to our partners, to our steadfast supporters. Our “Meet Our Staff” series will introduce you to some of our amazing staff members, who work behind the scenes every day … Read More.
Here at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), we know our strength comes from the people who make up our movement — from our staff, to our partners, to our steadfast supporters. Our “Meet Our Staff” series will introduce you to some of our amazing staff members, who work behind the scenes every day to … Read More.
This morning, CIEL joined over 160 organizations from around the world in the Finance Climate Challenge. The full text of the challenge is included below. To learn more about how your organization can join the Challenge, please visit the Finance Climate Challenge. The undersigned organizations call on the finance sector to end all support for new … Read More.
May 1, 2020 – Today, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) welcomes Nikki Reisch as Director of its Climate and Energy Program. Nikki brings more than fifteen years of experience working in the fields of human rights and environmental justice, having devoted her career to advancing the rights of marginalized populations and protecting the … Read More.
I know, I know, it’s a bit of a trope to talk about the need for a “holistic approach” within UN spaces. I don’t think I’ve ever heard the phrase “synergy” or “breaking silos” so much as in the time I’ve been attending UN events in Geneva. However, despite the cliché messaging, environmental decision-making is … Read More.
For years, wealthy nations have flooded developing countries with toxic plastic waste under the guise of “recycling.” Now, the international community has almost unanimously agreed to finally tackle the plastic waste trade crisis, but the US is, naturally, attempting to circumvent the new standards. The practice of shipping plastic to other countries has been the … Read More.
Jane Patton Campaign Manager, US Fossil Economy Jane Patton (she/her) is the US Fossil Economy Campaign Manager, and her work supports the Fossil Economy program in confronting the harmful impacts and false promises of the broader oil and gas economy, including from petrochemicals, agrochemicals, and carbon capture and storage. Previously, Jane served as the campaigns … Read More.
CIEL Vacancy Announcement: Staff Attorney – Climate & Energy and Environmental Health Programs August 2019 The Center for International Environmental Law is seeking a passionate lawyer and experienced advocate as a Staff Attorney contributing to the work of its Climate & Energy Program (CE) and Environmental Health Program (EH). This is a great opportunity for an … Read More.
For Immediate Release March 17, 2019 Reflecting on the outcomes of the 4th Meeting of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi, Kenya (UNEA-4), the Women’s Major Group offered the following statement: Nairobi, Kenya. The conclusion of UNEA-4 saw a landmark resolution to promote gender equality and the human rights and empowerment of women and … Read More.
A sample, not comprehensive, list of media coverage tracking CIEL in the news in recent months. Read recent releases and statements. Los Angeles Times. Editorial: Plastic trash is not just litter. It’s a climate change problem, too. The Times Editorial Board. January 3, 2021. Keywords: Plastic, Climate Change, Plastic Pollution, Petrochemicals, Fossil Fuels, Plastic Waste, … Read More.
You may not know about endocrine disruptors, but chances are they’re in your body. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) interfere with the body’s hormonal system and are linked to developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in both humans and animals. EDCs are most toxic at our most vulnerable: Exposure to these chemicals in the womb or during … Read More.
Single-use plastics — such as plastic packaging, light-weight plastic bags, disposable cups, and food containers — make up an estimated half of the plastics found on EU beaches. To tackle this issue of global concern, the EU is starting to take action to curb the amount of plastic entering the oceans from its shores. On … Read More.
The last year has demanded more from all of us — more resilience, more innovation, more courage, more solidarity. In 2017, your support helped us… Tackle Plastic Pollution at its Source Our newly launched Fueling Plastics initiative is highlighting the deep links between plastics and fossil fuels, the primary chemical feedstock in over 99% of … Read More.
For Immediate Release September 21, 2017 Organizations in the Gulf and across the country released a joint statement today expressing solidarity with the thousands of Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey and demanding that recovery funds flow to frontline communities, not to the oil, gas, and petrochemical companies that compounded Harvey’s impacts. This statement comes as … Read More.
Make a One-Time Donation Support CIEL by making a charitable contribution online or by mail. You can donate through our secure online donation form using a credit card or PayPal account, or by mailing a check. Donations made by check should be made payable to CIEL at 1101 15th Street NW, Suite 1100, Washington, DC … Read More.
CIEL uses four cross-cutting legal levers for systemic change to have the greatest impact in supporting our mission and the work of partners around the world: Promoting Environmental Democracy The principles of environmental democracy — the rights to information, public participation, and justice — ensure that people have a meaningful say in decisions that affect … Read More.
The ocean is vital to the survival of all life on this planet: it is the source of our rainfall, it regulates are climate, it provides us with food, and it serves as the home of countless marine animals. I think we can all agree that the ocean is fundamental to our enjoyment of life. … Read More.
December 15, 2023 NAIROBI — 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 with preparing … Read More.
Published November 29, 2023 The United Nations climate conference gets underway in the United Arab Emirates this week against a backdrop of broken records and broken promises. From off-the-charts temperatures and unprecedented weather events to off-the-rails climate policies and missing climate finance, 2023 has raised the stakes for this year’s intergovernmental climate talks to new … Read More.
June 28th, 2023 Geneva (CH) — In an unprecedented step, States at the Annual Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention — an agreement on access to information and environmental decision-making — acknowledged the need to curb corporate capture in international decision-making spaces to guarantee meaningful environmental democracy. At the end of the meeting, … Read More.
Lisa Tostado Agrochemicals and Fossil Fuels Campaigner Lisa Tostado (she/her) is the Agrochemicals and Fossil Fuel Campaigner in CIEL’s Fossil Economy Program, based in Paris. Her work focuses primarily on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides as interdependent inputs to a destructive corporate-controlled food production model that is contributing to catastrophic biodiversity collapse, toxic pollution, the violation … Read More.
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.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is purported to collect or “capture” carbon dioxide generated by high-emitting activities, and is therefore commonly proposed as a technology to help meet global energy and climate goals. However, CCS does not address the core drivers of the climate crisis or meaningfully reduce greenhouse emissions, and should not distract from … Read More.
October 6, 2022 Washington, DC — Chemical fertilizers derived from fossil fuels (“fossil fertilizers”) are an underrecognized driver of climate change, biodiversity loss, and toxic pollution, and yet the fertilizer industry is increasingly portraying itself as part of the solution to these converging planetary crises. Together with oil and gas companies, agrochemical producers are promoting … Read More.
Learn what happened during the latests negotiations on the how to promote chemical safety worldwide.
Starting next week, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) will host the 5th Meeting of the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives to UNEP (OECPR) and the second session of the 5th UN Environment Assembly, the highest political forum on environmental matters. While much of the buzz surrounding the meetings is about the push for a … Read More.
NAIROBI, KEN / WASHINGTON, DC – Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) experts will be in Nairobi and available for comment during the Open-Ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR) and the second part of the Fifth United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) from February 19th – March 2nd. UNEA 5.2 is the first hybrid meeting of … Read More.
What is carbon capture and storage? Carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) are processes designed to collect or “capture” carbon dioxide generated by high-emitting activities like coal- or gas-fired power production or plastics manufacturing. Those captured emissions are then transported to sites where they are used for industrial processes … Read More.
Louisiana is gaining an ever-increasing amount of national and international attention for Cancer Alley, an eighty-five-mile stretch along the Mississippi River lined with industrial plants, and the corridor’s role in perpetuating environmental racism and threats to public health. Simultaneously, the state’s policymakers are turning toward a new pernicious industrialization effort that threatens to impact Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities: carbon … Read More.
There is no longer doubt about the intersection of the environment and human rights. As illustrated throughout the pandemic, all environmental threats, from climate change to toxic exposure, are impacting individuals’ daily lives and human rights, especially in vulnerable communities. Therefore, governments and other stakeholders can’t afford to deal with the environment and human rights … Read More.
The global pandemic has placed unprecedented pressure on waste management systems worldwide, posing grave risks to human health and the environment. It will be necessary to develop ambitious waste reduction and management plans to build a more sustainable post-pandemic world. As the legal framework on waste and the waste trade, the Basel Convention and its … Read More.
The European Green Deal has been presented as an ambitious plan to transport the European Union to a bright, sustainable future for chemicals management. But is it really? The European Green Deal, presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on December 11, 2019, is meant to be the “boarding pass” for the European … Read More.
December 12, 2019 The European Commission’s “European Green Deal” includes a Roadmap of policy initiatives on everything from reducing emissions, to implementing a circular economy, to protecting health and well-being. Its climate chapter provides a comprehensive set of measures across key policy areas, yet the ambition and timeline for enhanced mitigation action remains below what … Read More.
Again and again, our work makes clear to us that the world is filled with people ready to stand up. The world is filled with leaders. They are mobilized. They are fighting in cities and countrysides and courtrooms across the world. Every day, the movement to defend human rights and the environment grows, and we’re … Read More.
CIEL focuses its work around four program areas: Climate & Energy (C&E) Fossil Economy (FE) Environmental Health (EH) People, Land, & Resources (PLR) Climate & Energy Program (C&E) The goal of CIEL’s Climate & Energy Program is to develop and use a body of international law to effectively address the threat of climate change … Read More.
By Glenn Wiser, Chemicals Program I was fishing a mountain stream at my friend John’s place in Chilean Patagonia recently when I hooked a 27-inch wild rainbow trout. After chasing the fish halfway down the river, I succeeded in hauling it onto the gravel bank, where I quickly did some mental math: rainbow trout is … Read More.