Statement by the International Development Law Organization (IDLO)
Excellencies,
Distinguished delegates, colleagues,
It is a privilege to take the floor on behalf of the International Development Law Organization, the only global intergovernmental organization exclusively devoted to enhancing the rule of law to advance peace and sustainable development.
Through our programming, policy development, and research on climate justice and the sustainable use of natural resources, we would like to share three insights into how strengthening the rule of law can maximise the synergies between SDG13 and the rest of the 2030 Agenda while leaving no-one behind in a fair and just transition.
First, clear, actionable and comprehensive legal and regulatory frameworks can provide State and private actors with the direction of travel needed to realize our SDG13 objectives by 2030.
Processes contributing to the development of climate legislation, as well as Nationally Determined Contributions and National Adaptation Plans under the Paris Agreement, should be conducted through a whole-of-government approach, involving a range of ministries and other relevant actors. This can ensure that such plans of action can have a cross-cutting impact across other Sustainable Development Goals – including on poverty reduction, food security, gender equality and health.
Second, Champion feminist approaches to the rule of law and climate action to better understand and respond to the different and disproportionate impact of climate change on women and girls.
This can be realized by promoting equal access to justice, eliminating discriminatory laws, and reforming patriarchal institutions and practices, while also promoting the active participation and leadership of women in climate law and policy-making, including and in particular, indigenous women and women from rural and pastoral communities.
And third, the role of the justice sector in holding state and non-State actors to account for their international climate change commitments is imperative and indispensable.
As has been emphasised by the Executive Secretary of the UNFCCC, greater transparency and accountability is needed within the climate action agenda. A strong, independent and wellinformed judiciary – equipped with the necessary tools and resources to tackle complex legal climate and environmental issues – can promote confidence and compliance with the objectives under SDG13 and accelerate action towards our common goals.
IDLO stands ready as your partner in this regard to realize the promise of climate justice by 2030.