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Welcome to CSDLP

The Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy focuses on environmental sustainability and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in all its dimensions: environmental, economic, and social.

Our centre's vision is for a sustainable future for present and future generations, where life in harmony with nature can flourish, through outstanding research and innovation that enables societies to co-develop transformative economic models and technological innovations that are grounded in ecological preservation, the protection of human and planetary health, social inclusion and human rights. The UN SDGs serve as cross-cutting themes in our projects, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.
Meet the CSDLP Team
United Nation Sustainable Development Goals

Mission 

Our centre's mission is to expand and deepen human knowledge through interdisciplinary and international collaborations. Our research is challenge-led, curiosity-driven, and solution-oriented, and our engagement with our partners enables societal transformations and transitions towards safer climate futures where everyone can thrive.

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JusTN0W

JusTN0W is the flagship project of the CSDLP. It is developing a world-leading interdisciplinary work programme to research sustainable and just solutions for accelerated decarbonisation of economies, and to achieve lasting societal well-being for the present and future generations.

Learn more about JusTN0W
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CSDLP at COPs

Each year, a team from CSDLP attends the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the UNFCCC accreditation. We will be at COP30 in Brazil and, among other activities, we will host an official UNFCCC side event. Explore further and learn more about our work at past COPS and our plans for this year.

Learn more about our engagment with COPs
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Join our network

Sign up for the CSDLP's mailing list to be updated on the latest news, events, training and partnership opportunities.

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News

On the Science-Coloured Glasses of the ICJ: Harmfulness, Wrongfulness, and Climate Accountability

A blog contribution by Dr Katalin Sulyok to Völkerrechtsblog - International Law and International Legal Thought - reflecting on the recent Advisory Opinion by the International Court of Justice: 'Obligations of States in Respect of Climate Change'. (Photo by Rafael Ishkhanyan on Unsplash.)
International Court of Justice

ELEVATE-ProClima (Enhance and Leverage the Architecture on Evidence for Proteção Climática (Climate Protection))

Colleagues from the JusTN0W team at Durham Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy secured funding from the British Academy under Evidence-informed Policymaking Grants 2025 Awards, for a timely and significant research project: ELEVATE-ProClima (Enhance and Leverage the Architecture on Evidence for Proteção Climática (Climate Protection)). The project is in collaboration with our valued Brazilian partners from the University of São Paulo, the State University of Rio de Janeiro.
A poster of a project ELEVATE-ProClima with a picture of Amazon Green forest.

Upcoming events

Just Transitions to a Net Zero World - Second Annual International Conference

Thursday 9 October 2025 - Friday 10 October 2025
8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Hybrid Event – Redhills Durham Miners Hall
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Get in Touch

Enquiries about the Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy should be sent via the email below.

Contact Us

Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy

Durham University Law School
Palatine Centre
Stockton Road
Durham
DH1 3LE