Sustainability and the rule of law are emerging as the overarching concepts behind the post-2015 Agenda. As early as 2009, Resolution 64/116 of the United Nations General Assembly made it clear that the advancement of the rule of law was essential for the realization of sustained economic growth and sustainable development. Food that is secure and nutritious; safe water; responsible farming; climate change resilience; the preservation of biodiversity – without them, most development gains are at risk. IDLO has the legal expertise to ensure that human ingenuity and natural resources work to enrich each other. By rooting our interventions in the rule of law, by reconciling the interests of business, local stakeholders and the wider community, we help create incentives for sustainable land use, clean energy and low-carbon investment.
Biodiversity and ecosystems means much more than saving whales and pretty landscapes: it is instrumental in reducing poverty and achieving sustainable development.
Natural resources form the core of many economies around the world, providing a source of livelihood for millions of people. But the disproportionate rise in demand for these resources is raising questions about the sustainability of investments in this sector.
Access to energy is key development challenge. Reliable and affordable energy supply is an essential prerequisite to realizing the socio-economic transformation required to end extreme poverty and achieve sustainable development.
To the extent that it is a crucial – and ever more prominent – component of sustainable development, food security is an emerging area of research for IDLO.
In many African countries, the majority of land is under customary tenure: the rights, rules and responsibilities to possess, occupy and use it are based on community customs. But customary-held land rarely enjoys adequate protection under national laws;