This is the third session in a monthly series focusing on Global Environmental Rule of Law.
Join the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Environmental Law Institute and expert panelists for the third part of UNEP-ELI series on the UNEP Environmental Rule of Law: Tracking Progress and Charting Future Directions report. The recent challenges and advancements of environmental rule of law can be categorized under four general themes: development and use of technology; COVID-19; climate change; and social and environmental justice. In this third installment of the series, we will discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic affected environmental rule of law.
COVID-19 caused serious repercussions for the environmental rule of law. At least 46 countries relaxed their environmental requirements, and several waived or suspended obligatory compliance with environmental laws. In some cases, quarantine and distancing requirements limited field inspections and created barriers to compliance with monitoring or reporting requirements that have in-person components. Social distancing measures also created barriers for traditional means of civic engagement; many jurisdictions responded with a shift toward virtual engagement, which has the potential to expand opportunities for participation but can exacerbate inequality in access to technology and internet access. Virtual engagement can also be used to target—and even silence—activists. Similarly, the justice systems in most countries were forced to quickly transition to virtual platforms and remote functioning. Our panelists will discuss how these changes from COVID-19 affected the environmental rule of law.
Speakers:
To Be Announced
Materials:
Materials will be posted as they are received.
ELI members logged on to the Members site will have access to a recording of this session (usually posted within 3 business days) as well as any speaker materials. If you are not an ELI member but would like to have access to archived sessions like this one, please see the many benefits of membership and how to join.