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This research paper, prepared by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) for the UN High Level Task Force (HLTF), examines the intersection of the right to development and climate change. It focuses specifically on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) under the Kyoto Protocol, evaluating whether its design and implementation align with human rights-based criteria for development. The author argues that while the CDM mobilizes private funds for mitigation, it suffers from governance gaps, inequitable geographical distribution of projects, and a lack of procedural safeguards for affected communities.

A joint statement from various environmental and health organizations urging the U.S. Secretary of State and the EPA Administrator to support congressional action on the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

A specific instance complaint submitted to the Canadian National Contact Point (NCP) by the Frente de Defensa San Miguelense (FREDEMI) and prepared by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL). The complaint alleges that Goldcorp Inc., through its subsidiary Montana Exploradora de Guatemala, S.A., violated OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises in its operations at the Marlin Mine in Guatemala, specifically regarding indigenous land rights, environmental contamination, and the persecution of community protesters.

Daryl W. Ditz, representing the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL), provided testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives on November 17, 2009, arguing that the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) has failed to protect public health. Ditz proposed three primary reforms: authorizing the EPA to phase out high-priority chemicals (specifically PBTs), establishing a health-based safety standard for all chemicals where manufacturers bear the burden of proof, and mandating comprehensive, updated data submissions from chemical manufacturers to fill critical information gaps.

A coalition of civil society organizations, including the Center for International Environmental Law and Earthjustice, submitted comments to the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Trade Representative on July 31, 2009, regarding the review of the 2004 U.S. Model Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). The coalition argues that the model BIT fails to balance investor rights with public interest protections and grants foreign investors greater substantive rights than those afforded to U.S. citizens under domestic law.

The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) delivered opening remarks at the 18th Session of the SCCR in June 2009, advocating for a new international instrument on copyright exceptions and limitations to improve access for the disabled, libraries, and education.

This research paper examines whether and how manufactured nanomaterials should be treated as a global concern, noting the technology's potential for widespread economic transformation and the complexities of regulating materials that move through international trade and environmental transport.

The Manila Declaration is a statement issued during the International Conference on Extractive Industries and Indigenous Peoples in March 2009. It outlines the systemic impacts of extractive industries on Indigenous territories and calls for a moratorium on new projects until human rights protections are guaranteed.

This 2009 report by CIEL and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung proposes institutional mechanisms to integrate human rights into global climate change policy. It argues that climate change severely threatens rights to life, health, food, and water, particularly for women, children, and indigenous peoples. The report suggests five approaches: utilizing existing UN special procedures, creating a new special procedure on climate change and human rights, maintaining direct Human Rights Council engagement, leveraging human rights treaty bodies, and establishing human rights-focused subsidiary bodies or expert groups within the UNFCCC. It emphasizes the need for increased participation of marginalized communities in climate negotiations and the recognition of a principle that all climate-related activities must respect human rights.

This report by the Center for International Environmental Law examines the legal history and environmental impact of the U.S.-Mexico border wall, focusing on the unprecedented authority granted to the Secretary of Homeland Security to waive all legal requirements to expedite construction.

This briefing outlines the ongoing efforts by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) to revise its 1976 Arbitration Rules to increase transparency in investor-State disputes. It highlights that while these rules are widely used, their origin in private commercial law allows for secrecy in cases involving public interests—such as environmental protection and natural resource management—and large financial awards. The document notes that on June 27, 2008, the Commission agreed by consensus to ensure transparency, with specific work on this issue scheduled to begin in September 2009.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) analyzes various proposals for operationalizing technology cooperation within the UNFCCC framework ahead of the 2009 Copenhagen negotiations. It contrasts the institutional and financial preferences of the G77 + China, the European Union, and other nations, while proposing a comprehensive evaluation framework based on legal principles, specific actions across the technology chain, and institutional mandates. The document also includes a position paper from the Climate Action Network (CAN) advocating for a dedicated Technology Cooperation Mechanism and a Technology Fund to ensure the measurable, reportable, and verifiable (MRV) transfer of environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) to developing countries.

The Manila Declaration is a statement issued by Indigenous Peoples and support organisations from 35 countries during a conference held in March 2009. It condemns the unsustainable exploitation of Indigenous territories by extractive industries, highlighting the resulting environmental degradation, human rights violations, and contributions to climate change. The document calls for a moratorium on new projects, the recognition of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and systemic reforms across states, corporations, and international financial institutions to protect Indigenous rights and ecological integrity.

This briefing by the Center for International Environmental Law summarizes the proceedings of the 18th session of the WIPO Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights (SCCR-18) held in May 2009. The document details debates over a proposed Broadcast Treaty, the establishment of international exceptions and limitations to copyright for education and the disabled, and the ongoing effort to harmonize international protection for audiovisual (AV) performers.

This report summarizes a September 2008 WTO Public Forum session organized by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) and Friends of the Earth Europe (FOEE). The discussion, featuring legal experts, examined the evolution of WTO jurisprudence regarding environmental and health measures, the impact of the Brazil – Retreaded Tyres decision, and the specific challenges faced by developing countries in trade-environment dispute settlements.

This research paper examines the role of product energy performance standards and processes and production methods (PPMs) in mitigating climate change and their interaction with international trade law. It argues that while energy efficiency standards are highly cost-effective and should be supported by trade regimes, PPM-based measures are more legally complex and controversial, particularly regarding their impact on developing country exporters and their consistency with WTO rules.

This 2008 submission to the U.N. Special Representative on Human Rights and Transnational Corporations, authored by the Center for International Environmental Law and partners, argues that the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Performance Standards and the Equator Principles (PS/EPs) fail to provide a robust framework for project sponsors to respect or remedy human rights. The report identifies critical gaps in substantive standards, due diligence procedures, and grievance mechanisms, concluding that the PS/EPs must be significantly amended to align with international human rights norms.

This research paper analyzes the intellectual property (IP) provisions of the US-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, examining the tension between Peru's desire for permanent preferential market access to the United States and concerns from civil society regarding public health and education.

A formal complaint submitted to the Office of the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman on March 31, 2008, by community members and former employees regarding the operations of Nicaragua Sugar Estates Limited, S.A. (NSEL). The complainants allege that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) failed to comply with its own social and environmental sustainability policies when approving a $55 million loan (Project 25331) to NSEL for sugarcane production and ethanol plant construction.

A group of civil society organizations wrote to the WIPO Coordination Committee on 19 March 2008, inviting candidates for the WIPO Director-General position to a meeting in Geneva on 15 April 2008. The organizations requested written responses to eight questions regarding the integration of civil society, the mainstreaming of development, and the impact of intellectual property rights on sustainable development and access to essential technologies and medicines.