Story | 23 Jan, 2019
By Anemoon Soete - At the end of 2015, a court of first instance in the Hague declared the Dutch policy to mitigate climate change inducing emissions not fit for purpose and lacking a sense of reality. As a result, the court of first instance ordered the government to adjust its policy to…
Story | 06 Nov, 2018
A partial win for Greenpeace Belgium in air pollution case against the Flemish Region
By Sofie Vereycken - On 10 October 2018, in vzw Greenpeace Belgium v Flemish Region, the President of the Dutch-Speaking Court of First Instance of Brussels orders the Flemish Government to draft a comprehensive air quality plan for the entire region, subject to a penalty payment of 1.000 EUR…
Story | 17 Nov, 2017
Meeting of the WCEL Specialists Group on Climate Change
On 12 November, lawyers, students, policymakers, conservationists and private sector representatives from around the world gathered in Bonn to discuss the future of the planet. Led by the IUCN Environmental Law Programme, in collaboration with UN Agencies, State Party Delegations, NGOs and…
Story | 13 Oct, 2017
EU Forum of Judges for the Environment 2017 Annual Conference: “Climate Change and the Judiciary”
Members of WCEL and the Global Judicial Institute on the Environment (GJIE) Interim Governing Committee, including Justice Luc Lavrysen of the Belgian Constitutional Court, Justice Ragnhild Noer of the Supreme Court of Norway, and Justice Michael D.
Story | 21 Sep, 2017
WCEL Contributes to London Conference on Law & Environment in Small States
WCEL Steering Committee members Elizabeth Mrema (UN Environment, Kenya) and Deputy Chair Denise Antolini (University of Hawaii, US) keynoted a conference on September 5-6 held at Queen Mary University of London on Law and Environment in Small States. WCEL member Catherine Iorns (Victoria…
Story | 01 Feb, 2016
World Wetlands Day: Wetlands & Sustainable Livelihoods
Each year, 2 February marks World Wetlands Day, to celebrate our planet’s wetlands but also to draw attention to the challenges that their degradation brings.
Story | 22 Nov, 2015
Valuing natural capital key to tackling climate change – says IUCN
Edinburgh, UK, 23 November 2015 -- IUCN Director General Inger Andersen highlighted the vital role of natural capital in addressing climate change in a…
Press release | 19 Nov, 2015
A global re-assessment of polar bears highlights loss of sea ice habitat due to climate warming as the single most important threat to the long-term survival of the species, according to the latest update of The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ released today by IUCN, International Union for…
Story | 15 Nov, 2015
Report calls on aluminium industry to respect indigenous peoples' rights
Geneva, Switzerland, 16 November 2015 – While global demand for the world’s most popular metal – aluminium – continues to rise, it is critical that the aluminium industry address its environmental and social impacts, particularly in indigenous peoples’ territories, according to new report…
Story | 23 Sep, 2015
Sustainable Development Goals recognise role of business
The United Nations' new development agenda presents a historic opportunity for the private sector to actively participate in addressing the world’s global challenges, and building a more inclusive and sustainable society.