About ELP

Although unevenly distributed, the twentieth century has been characterized by socioeconomic development that has benefited communities through out the globe. Unfortunately, positive trends in development have occurred concomitantly with environmental degradation; water scaracity, desertification, pollution, climate change and biodiversity loss all have implications that defy state borders.

Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) are the predominant legal means for addressing transboundary environmental problems. Over 300 MEAs have been negotiated since the seminal 1972 Stockholm Conference. Additionally, numerous soft law instruments have been promulgated in relation to the environment, such as the 1982 World Charter for Nature, the 1992 Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, Agenda 21 and the Plan of Implementation adopted at the 2002 World Summit on Environment and Development.

Despite proliferation of international environmental instruments aimed at remedying the primary environmental problems, tangible progress is often slow and fragmented due to implementation deficits. Many states and regions — particularly those in transition or low on development indicies — lack the technical, financial and human resource capabilities to adhere to the regulations set out in the international environmental law regime.

UNITAR’s Environmental Law Programme (ELP) was established with the main objective of strengthening national-level legal and institutional capabilities for the implementation of environmental law obligations. In this vein, the ELP aims to enhance both awareness and general knowledge in the field of international environmental law, whilst also strengthening national capacities for the adequate implementation of MEAs. The core training activities are directed at making the complex range of international environmental agreements comprehensible for the stakeholders involved in environmental law, policy making and administration. Within this context, the core activities of the ELP are:

 Diploma Course in International Environmental Law
 Basic Course in International Environmental Law (e-Learning)
 Fellowship Programme on International Environmental Law
 Thematic Seminars and Workshops

The ELP’s training activities are undertaken in cooperation with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations. The main objectives of the ELP are to intensify collaboration with international organizations, national governments and academic institutions and to establish partnerships for environmental law education.