Environmental Law Institute Africa Programs

Africa Program

Since 1999, the Environmental Law Institute has developed its Africa Program to promote environmental law, policy, and management in Africa. Partnering with African NGOs and governments, ELI assists in drafting and advancing pragmatic and effective environmental laws and policies, analyzes and identifies options to improve the implementation of existing environmental law, and builds the capacity of local institutions and citizens in Africa to carry out these tasks independently. In addition to strengthening environmental laws, ELI and its partners empower civil society to address environmental needs by undertaking projects in rule of law, transparency, public participation, and access to justice.

Currently, ELI is working with in-country partners on: seminars to build capacity of East African judges to hear environmental cases and lawyers to advocate effectively for the environment; an awareness-raising campaign advancing opportunities for a regional initiative on environmental governance in Africa; a study on best practices and lessons learned in developing and implementing laws and policies governing access to genetic resources and benefit sharing; and research on how to protect biodiversity in Islamic countries in Africa, drawing upon provisions of the Shariah. ELI also has an expanding program for African Visiting Scholars.

Directed by Carl Bruch and John Pendergrass, ELI’s International Programs promote strong and sustainable environmental management. By advancing effective laws, policies, institutions, and practices. ELI’s International Programs:

Promote sustainable management of water resources;
Facilitate the sustainable management and conservation of land and biodiversity;
Foster sustainable livelihoods; and
Advance laws and institutions for the development, export, import, transfer, and use of technologies for sustainable development.

What’s New:

Salman M.A. Salman’s latest work on transboundary water cooperation.