International Court for the Environment Coalition
Reimagining justice for our planet
How can international law and its institutions better protect people and the planet?
Some of the world’s most precious ecosystems and vulnerable communities are at risk from irresponsible industrial activity, resource extraction and the accelerating impacts of climate change — with the powerful entities responsible too often evading liability for the harm they cause.
The International Court for the Environment Coalition is calling for the creation of a new international environmental court to hold these actors accountable, strengthen global environmental laws and promote cooperation across borders for environmental justice.
Our goal is to radically reimagine environmental law and its institutions for a future where the Earth's systems thrive for generations to come.
Why a new international environmental court is needed
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Individuals, communities and NGOs would have the right to access this new court directly and have their matter heard. Most existing courts and tribunals — including the International Court of Justice and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea — don’t allow for this.
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Right now, countries and corporations can evade responsibility for environmental damage simply by refusing to accept an international court’s authority. This new court would proceed to hear cases and consider evidence against powerful players whether or not they themselves agree to participate.
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Unlike most existing international courts and tribunals, this new court would not be confined to a single legal framework. It could apply international law, local law or a blend of both — whatever would be most appropriate in the circumstances.
Existing international courts and tribunals do not specialise in environmental cases and are mostly only accessible to nation-states. This is where our proposal for a dedicated international environmental court comes in.
Our international supporters
Professor Lord Tony Giddens, Baron Giddens of Southgate
Nigel Howorth
Fabio Feldman
📸: Danilo Verpa / Folhapres
Helena Kennedy, Baroness Kennedy of The Shaws QC, FRSA
📸: Alister Thorpe
Caroline Lucas
📸: Caroline Lucas
Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, CBE
Professor Richard Fortey, FRS FRSL
Isabel Hilton OBE
Professor Jorgen Randers
📸: Frode Hansen
Professor Gus Speth
Sir David King, FRS HonFREng
Our campaign
We write about why an international environmental court is needed and what it could look like, organise and participate in public events, and engage in direct advocacy.
We are lawyers, academics, campaigners, businesses, cities and nations, all working towards the creation of a new international environmental court.
Send us an message if you would like us to write for you or speak at your next event!
