Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy

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.

More about sustainability at Durham

Teaching and Learning

Students sitting on grass at Durham Maidan Castle

Our Projects

View our sustainability-focused programmes

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

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

News

Durham University, Science Europe, TERI and DFG Unite for COP31 Side Event on Implementing National Climate Targets

Durham University will join leading international research and policy organisations at COP31 to host an official UNFCCC side event exploring how science can drive effective climate mitigation and adaptation.

Global research
Prof Elisa Morgera to Champion Human Rights-Centred Climate Action at COP31

Prof Elisa Morgera, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights and Professor of Global Environmental Law at Durham University, will participate in COP31, where she will champion a human rights-centred approach to climate action and contribute to international discussions on pathways towards a just transition away from fossil fuels.

Global research
The Right to a Safe, Stable and Healthy Climate: From Recognition to Realisation

Prof Elisa Morgera joins CIL NUS webinar on "The Right to a Safe, Stable and Healthy Climate: From Recognition to Realisation" moderated by Dr Elena Pribytkova, CIL NUS.

Durham news

Durham University, Science Europe, TERI and DFG Unite for COP31 Side Event on Implementing National Climate Targets

Durham University will join leading international research and policy organisations at COP31 to host an official UNFCCC side event exploring how science can drive effective climate mitigation and adaptation.

Global research

Prof Elisa Morgera to Champion Human Rights-Centred Climate Action at COP31

Prof Elisa Morgera, UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights and Professor of Global Environmental Law at Durham University, will participate in COP31, where she will champion a human rights-centred approach to climate action and contribute to international discussions on pathways towards a just transition away from fossil fuels.

Global research

Prof Elisa Morgera and three attendees on a COP30 panel

The Right to a Safe, Stable and Healthy Climate: From Recognition to Realisation

Prof Elisa Morgera joins CIL NUS webinar on "The Right to a Safe, Stable and Healthy Climate: From Recognition to Realisation" moderated by Dr Elena Pribytkova, CIL NUS.

Durham news

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