IUCN - The World Conversation Union

The IUCN Commission on Environmental Law (CEL) is a network of environmental law and policy experts from all regions of the world who volunteer their knowledge and services to IUCN activities, especially to those of the IUCN Law Programme. CEL functions as an integral part of the IUCN Environmental Law Programme, which includes the Commission and the Environmental Law Centre.

With a worldwide membership, CEL not only takes the lead in projects of its own, but also provides a source of expertise for the Environmental Law Centre and other parts of IUCN. The Commission thus serves as the principal source of legal technical advice to the Union, its members and its collaborating institutions on all aspects of environmental law. It supports action by international governmental organisations, governments and non-governmental organisations to improve or develop legal and institutional infrastructure best attuned to natural resources conservation in the context of sustainable development. CEL's goal is to demonstrate the vital importance of such infrastructure within national and international strategies for environmental conservation, including the sustainable use of natural resources within and beyond national jurisdictions.

The IUCN Commission on Environmental Law is led by a Steering Committee consisting of the Chair, the Deputy Chair and Vice Chairs. The Director of the Environmental Law Centre is an ex officio member of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee meets at least once a year to discuss the implementation of the IUCN Law Programme and to decide on the future of Commission initiatives. The Commission is primarily supported by a CEL Liaison Officer based in Asuncion, Paraguay and by the staff of the IUCN Environmental Law Centre, especially the Legal Officers.
The word "interdisciplinary" best characterises the Commission and its structure: environmental law involves many intertwined disciplines and this has been accommodated in the Commission by a loose, theme-oriented structure. Specialist Groups are organised to meet demands of a special effort in promoting conceptual work in environmental law. In addition, individual members collaborate on projects arising from their respective areas of expertise through the organisation of consultations, internet discussion fora and ad hoc Working Groups.

Members of the Commission come from diverse areas of expertise within environmental law and policy, but all share a commitment to work actively towards the progress of conservation law. They serve in their personal capacity, although they might come from governmental or non-governmental organisations, might be active in private law practice, attached to a university or an international organisation. They represent every region of the world and their interests and expertise span the full spectrum of environmental law from pollution issues to those related to biological diversity conservation.

The IUCN Commission on Environmental Law as such receives a limited amount of core funds from the IUCN budget in the form of a Commission operational fund. Activities within the Law Programme are funded through a variety of sources, including IUCN unrestricted funds and earmarked contributions. The Commission contributes towards the fundraising effort for individual projects.

The IUCN Commission on Environmental Law's objectives, and how they are to be met, can be found in the Mandate, CEL Bylaws, and the IUCN Programme.

NOTING that the Carlos Andwandter Nature Sanctuary of Rio Cruces constitutes the first Ramsar Site in Chile;

RECALLING that wetlands are high-priority ecosystems in IUCN’s strategies for the conservation of aquatic resources and biodiversity;

CONSIDERING that the wetlands of Carlos Andwandter Nature Sanctuary host a wide variety of species of flora and fauna, especially birdlife, including the country’s largest concentration of back-necked swans (Cygnus melancoryphus);

CONSIDERING that in February 2004 a cellulose actory started operations 15 kilometres upstream of the protected wetlands, authorized by a ruling issued by the competent Chilean government environmental authorities, stipulating the appropriate operating conditions; and

TAKING INTO ACCOUNT that the country’s environmental agency has detected a failure to comply with the authorized environmental operating conditions and that deaths of black-necked swans have been recorded, along with strong odour emissions that have alarmed the population;

The World Conservation Congress at its 3rd Session in Bangkok, Thailand, 17–25 November 2004:

1. REQUESTS that the Commission on Environmental Law, World Commission on Protected Areas and Commission on Ecosystem Management lend their support to the steps being taken by the IUCN National Committee for Chile in order to preserve and conserve the endangered wetlands; and

2. ASKS the IUCN Director General to express his concern about this situation to the Chilean authorities and to recommend the strengthening of the necessary measures for the protection of these wetlands.