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agencies capable of effectively
enforcing environmental rule of
law. The report blames multiple
factors, including poor coordi-
nation of government agencies,
weak institutional capacity, lack
of access to information, corrup-
tion and stifled civic engagement.
Significant emphasis is given to
one particularly worrying trend:
the growing resistance to environ-
mental laws, most evident in the
harassment, arbitrary arrest, thre-
ats and killing of environmental
defenders. Effective engagement
of an informed civil society resul-
ts in better government decision
making, more responsible corpo-
rate environmental actions and
more effective environmental law.
The report also expresses concern grievances that could escalate to police, peacekeepers and other
over the lack of legal experts with violence and is thus a priority in domestic and international actors,
the scientific knowledge necessary conflict prevention. After conflict, benefits both environmental rule of
to effectively hear environmental recovery is a top priority, leading law and, in turn, peace and secu-
cases, with particular importance ultimately to the re-establishment rity. Some initial efforts have alre-
attached to the establishment of of livelihoods and transformation ady been made along these lines,
specific environmental courts and of a society defined by rule of gun between UN Environment and the
provision of adequate education to one defined by rule of law. En- UN Department of Political Affairs
and resources to equip lawyers, gaging actors working on peace (responsible for helping to resolve
prosecutors and judges to tackle and security, including the military, armed conflict), UN Department
cases involving sometimes highly
technical issues.
In crisis areas, the imple-
mentation of environmental
rule of law can contribute to
peace and security and vice
versa. Before, during and after
conflict, weak environmental law
enforcement encourages illicit
and often harmful exploitation of
natural resources, enabling or-
ganized crime to flourish, under-
mining stability and with negati-
ve environmental consequences.
Strengthening environmental rule
of law, including through a sound
legal framework, institutional ca-
pacity and functional mechanisms
for peacefully resolving disputes,
is an important means to address

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