ILEG > Provides policy research, advocacy and training on legal issues linking environment, governance and sustainable development

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The Institute for Law and Environmental Governance (ILEG) is a non-partisan, not-for-profit public interest law and policy research, advocacy and training organization registered under the laws of Kenya with the following core objectives:

• To serve as a centre for the study, development and application of sound laws and policies aimed at promoting sustainable development and good governance.

• To undertake training and other activities aimed at strengthening capacities of individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to understand the nature of contemporary development challenges and policy strategies for the achievement of sustainable development.

• To provide professional services in the context of research, legal proceedings, or fora for peaceful settlement of disputes.

• To initiate, guide, encourage and support public policy reform processes based on sound social, ecological, economic and scientific principles.

• To provide affiliation to scholars and students through fellowship and internship programmes in the areas of law and policy relevant to one or more objectives of the Institute.

Featured Report

Public Interest Environmental Litigation in Kenya: Prospects and Challenges.

Public interest has evolved over the years to become a central theme applied, in diverse fields, when there is a need to achieve public good. Essentially, in the protection and conservation of the environment to prevent irresponsible human action, the necessity to act in the public interest has solidified itself. All this is with a view for society to gain access to environmental justice. One of the principal fora that accord this opportunity is through litigation, in this context as a dedicated instrument for the realization of sustainable development. This introduces the concept of public interest litigation in environmental matters under which citizens can go to court to raise broad environmental concerns and seek remedies and relief. This is the central theme of publication: Public Interest Environmental Litigation in Kenya: Prospects and Challenges.

This publication discusses the concept of public interest environmental litigation. It examines the role of law and litigation in sustainable development; the definition and nature of public interest litigation; public interest litigation in environmental matters and the attendant challenges. A significant imperative in this discourse is on the issue of locus standi and costs in public interest environmental litigation in Kenya. The paper offers insightful analysis on latest statutory and judicial trends and practices in Kenya, and abroad.

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The Institute for Law and Environmental Governance (ILEG) joins other Kenyans, and the world at large, in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai.

We learnt of the death of this giant of environmentalism with profound shock.Prof. Maathai was a personal inspiration to many an environmentalist and human rights campaigner.She was a true visionary – starting an environmental campaign many years before the world truly appreciated the real significance of the environment.

As an environmental organization, ILEG was profoundly inspired by her use of the law to secure protection of the environment. ILEG found her work, philosophy and practice, a constant spring from which to water its environmental programmes. For this, we choose to celebrate her life rather than mourn her death.

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