Description
In June 2009, the IES presented the findings of the research project The Hague Espace for Environmental Global Governance. The project was carried out by IES and the T.M.C. Asser Institute with the support of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment and the City of The Hague.
The main objective of the study was to investigate the usefulness and necessity of a facility in the field of environmental law in The Hague. This facility would carry out services that have a policy and practical relevance, are based on the most recent international legal developments and would offer attainable and realistic solutions to identified problems. The facility should not carry out work that is already done elsewhere, and should be affiliated to one or more existing institutions in The Hague.
The study resulted in The Hague Environmental Law Facility (HELF). HELF would have two main functions: an advisory function with regards to facilitating access to justice aimed at directing parties with environmental problems or disputes to the appropriate (alternative) dispute resolution mechanism, which includes local and national procedures, and 2) an auxiliary training function aimed at improving the knowledge and skills of civil servants, diplomats and negotiators on issues of implementation, enforcement and compliance.
The HELF will facilitate raising awareness on challenges of international environmental law, enhance its effectiveness, contribute to educate negotiators as to the ins and outs of highly complicated issues such as climate change and contribute to educate civil servants in the correct implementation and enforcement of existing and future international, regional and national environmental laws.
Information
- Author(s)
- Wybe Th. Douma, Leonardo Massai, Serge Bronkhorst, Wouter J. Veening
- Publisher
- Institute for Environmental Security
- Place published
- The Hague
- Date / journal vol no.
- May 2009
- Pages
- Vol One Report: 34 pp; Vol Two Annexes: 98 pp
