IUCN Commission on Environmental Law (CEL)

This publication synthesizes information on IUCN's work in this domain, particularly highlighting programmatic work in projects at local and national level, implemented by IUCN's Global thematic and Regional Programmes and Commissions. It serves as an introductory "where we are at" on climate change response in some areas of our work.

This report is based on discussions among maritime experts and draws on the conclusions of a workshop that was held in Istanbul in 2007.

Governance for sustainability is defined as the set of written and unwritten rules that link ecological citizenship with institutions and norms of governance. It is a complex topic because it addresses the three issues of globalization, democracy and sustainability. No form of governance can succeed if there is no common bond between those who govern and those who are being governed.

An enclosed sea such as the Mediterranean is particularly susceptible to ship-associated impacts due to the high volume of shipping routes, long history of use, shallow sensitive habitats and sensitive deep-sea ecosystems. This report describes the potential effects of maritime traffic in the Mediterranean and explores legal mechanisms that could be implemented to facilitate management and mitigation of impacts.

The Draft Covenant is a blueprint for an international framework (or umbrella) agreement consolidating and developing existing legal principles related to environment and development. Since the publication of the second edition in 2000, there have been important developments in the field of international environmental law.

This is the first comprehensive environmental law book based primarily on materials from Asia and the Pacific, designed to provide appropriate resources for academics and other trainers in environmental law in the region. It adopts a broad view of sustainable development as being the basis of modern environmental law, with emphasis on social justice and equity.