Educating Judges on the Basics of Climate Science
For details about our judicial education on climate science, visit the Climate Judiciary Project page.
Building Accountability for Deforestation in Colombia
With the generous support of the Swedish Postcode Foundation, ELI and the Global Green Growth Institute are carrying out a three-year project to address illegal logging in Colombia. Specifically, it aims to strengthen the capacity of Colombia’s judicial system to rule on cases involving illegal deforestation.
The project is working to build awareness and technical capacity among judges and magistrates in the four regions - Caquetá, Guaviare, Meta, and Putumayo - that have been most affected by illegal logging. Project staff will also train appellate judges in Tribunals and High Courts in Bogotá. Read more about the project here.
Protecting Watersheds & Biodiversity in South America
Infrastructure, mining, and energy projects pose serious threats to biodiversity in the Magdalena-Cauca and Napo watersheds of Colombia and Ecuador. ELI, in partnership with Fundepublico and Universidad de los Hemisferios, worked to improve watershed health and biodiversity in these regions by strengthening the judiciary’s capacity to make informed decisions on environmental cases.
Through trainings and materials tailored to local conservation issues, judges learned the connections between science, economics, sustainable development, ecosystem services, and legal remedies and considerations. The project included a “train-the-trainers” component so local partners can continue their educational efforts past the project completion date.
Repairing Ecosystem Damage in Indonesia
ELI and the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law conducted a project to help Indonesian judges better understand and address liability for environmental damages. Over 40 judges participated in a five-day workshop on economic valuation, restoration, and compensation of environmental damages. The workshop included a field trip to a peat ecosystem affected by fires, providing participants a unique opportunity to observe the complex dynamics of local ecosystems.
Their experience highlighted the challenges involved in collecting scientific evidence in cases of ecosystem damage, thereby setting the basis for future discussions on the enforcement of the precautionary principle. This project was supported by the Swedish Postcode Foundation.