The world has changed profoundly in the last thirty years. Time and again, CIEL has helped to shape that change — from helping to link human rights and the environment in law, to making the World Bank accountable to the communities affected by its projects, to creating and strengthening treaties to address a diverse array of toxic risks. But even as we celebrate this progress, we know that we have farther, much farther, still to go. And that the speed and scale of change has to accelerate dramatically.
Around the world – in courtrooms, in meeting halls, and in the streets – a growing global movement is echoing the call: It’s about time. Time to act, litigate, advocate, and mobilize on an unprecedented scale. Time for a massive and rapid shift toward a more just and sustainable society.
And if the last 30 years have taught us anything, it’s that together, we have the power to meet these challenges. When we combine the power of law with the power of people, we can change the system and change the world. And that’s what we’ll do, together. This year, your support helped…
Stop Global Plastic Waste Dumping
This year, CIEL and the movement to Break Free From Plastic helped convince 187 countries to amend the Basel Convention, which now requires countries to obtain consent before exporting plastic trash. It’s a major win for Southeast Asian communities flooded by unwanted toxic plastic waste. Read more.
Secure Better Nanomaterial Regulation
Nanomaterials are substances thousands of times smaller than a human hair — and with unknown, potentially dangerous impacts on our health. This year, we increased transparency on these potentially harmful chemicals under REACH, the European Union’s flagship chemical law. Now, companies must submit data on the chemicals they’re using as nanomaterials, which can pose serious and unknown health risks.
Expose the Hidden Costs of Plastic
This year, CIEL joined with partners working across the plastic lifecycle to publish two groundbreaking reports exposing the full extent to which plastic is harming our planet and our bodies: Plastic contributes significantly to climate change, and it is causing a global health crisis. Read more about plastic’s impacts on our health and our climate.
Equip the Climate Accountability Movement
Our research on Big Oil’s early knowledge of climate change has bolstered 15+ lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, from the Netherlands to cities and states across the United States. We also secured statements from UN Treaty Bodies that states have binding obligations to reduce emissions to protect human rights.
Spur Fossil Fuel Divestment
This year, CIEL equipped divestment advocates with legal arguments that justify divestment from fossil fuels. Investors with nearly $9 trillion in assets have already announced their intention to divest. Read more.
Defend the Right to Water
In 2019, CIEL worked with Nicaraguan communities to successfully get the International Finance Corporation to divest from a destructive gold mine that would have contaminated their water. Read more.
Protect Peruvian Rainforests from Illegal Logging
Through an innovative report and a detailed analysis of over 1,000 timber permits, CIEL exposed government corruption contributing to massive illegal deforestation in Peru, leading to government investigations, frontpage news coverage, and new leadership to better enforce logging regulations. Read more.
Please make a gift today to support this work in 2020. Through December 31, your donation will be matched, doubling your impact!
To learn more about this year’s accomplishments and some of the highlights from CIEL’s 30 years, read our 2019 Impact Report.
Please consider making an end-of-year donation to CIEL. Your support to CIEL makes you an essential part of this effort and a vital member of our community and our movement. Between now and December 31, your gift will be matched dollar for dollar, meaning that your donation has double the impact!
