The Center for Environmental Legal Studies (CELS) is an international and comparative arm of the Haub Environmental Law Program at Pace University School of Law. It was founded in 1992 by Professors Nicholas A. Robinson and Richard L. Ottinger, and it is currently directed by Professor Robinson. CELS works to develop and strengthen environmental law and policy around the world. It does this through a variety of projects, including:
- Conducting research on emerging environmental law issues
- Providing training and technical assistance to governments and other stakeholders
- Promoting the rule of law in environmental matters
- Advocating for the protection of the environment through legal means
CELS is a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. IUCN is a non-governmental organization that brings together governments, scientists, and other stakeholders to develop and implement policies to protect the environment. CELS works closely with IUCN to promote environmental law and policy at the international level.
Here are some specific examples of CELS’s work with IUCN:
- CELS has co-sponsored several IUCN conferences on environmental law, including the 2008 World Congress on Environmental Law and the 2012 World Parks Congress.
- CELS has provided training and technical assistance to governments on a variety of environmental law topics, including climate change, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
- CELS has worked with IUCN to promote the rule of law in environmental matters, such as through the development of the IUCN Environmental Law Principles.
- CELS has advocated for the protection of the environment through legal means, such as through the filing of amicus curiae briefs in international environmental cases.
CELS is a leading voice in the field of environmental law, and it plays a vital role in promoting environmental protection around the world. Its work with IUCN is essential to this mission, and it allows CELS to reach a wider audience and have a greater impact.