International & Foreign Law

Climate change is a global problem that demands a global response. Recognizing this, the Sabin Center provides legal support for and participates in international efforts to address the causes and effects of climate change. We also track how foreign jurisdictions are addressing climate change through legal reforms and litigation.

International & Foreign Law Projects

Climate Change Laws of the World Database

The countries of the world are taking action domestically as well as through the
negotiation of international agreements to address climate change. The Sabin Center and the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment are in the process of consolidating their collections of the laws, regulations, policy statements, and other directives issued by national governments.

Global Climate Litigation Chart

The global climate litigation chart is an online database of cases from foreign jurisdictions that involve issues related to climate change mitigation and adaptation. Our U.S. climate litigation chart can be accessed here.

UNFCCC

As part of several ongoing projects, Sabin Center has sent representatives to many of the recent UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties. Our first-hand accounts of those negotiations are available below.

We also work with the Legal Response Initiative to provide assistance to least developed countries during the negotiations.

The Sabin Center worked with the UN Development Programme and the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) to advise the Laotian government on the development of an integrated disaster management and climate change adaptation law. Executive Director Michael Burger’s commentary on the project is available on our blog. See also: Presentation, Integrating Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change in Lao PDR (Michael Burger, July 2015).

Offset Protocols

This page contains a compilation of  offset protocols from various cap-and-trade programs (created in 2010).

See also: Human Rights and Climate Change Program Area