IUCN Environmental Law Centre's Project on Integrated Land-Use Planning Law

Land-use planning frameworks have traditionally focused on developing settlements and related infrastructure. Climate change and biodiversity conservation have not historically always been considered in the formulation and implementation of land-use planning frameworks. Even if they are considered, the focus and impact of land-use planning frameworks is often localized rather than ecosystem wide. While countries are increasingly recognising and making the connection between land-use planning, biodiversity and climate change, in many countries these considerations are not yet adequately reflected in domestic laws and policies. There is accordingly often an absence of effective legal tools in place to practically facilitate improved integration of land-use planning, biodiversity and climate change issues and concerns.

In response to the above, the IUCN Environmental Law Centre (ELC) initiated a project on Integrated Planning to Implement the CBD Strategic Plan and Increase Ecosystem Resilience to Climate Change in 2014 (the Project). It aims to enable decision makers to contribute to the implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020 by developing and implementing participatory land-use planning practices and by integrating biodiversity and climate aspects into legal and institutional land-use planning frameworks at different levels (local, national and international).

Professor Alexander Paterson has been involved in the Project since its initiation in several capacities and recently participated in its closing workshop held in Bonn (Germany) from 29-30 November 2018. He was also requested by the ELC to present a capacity building workshop on Integrated Land Use Planning Law at the Global Landscapes Forum similarly held in Bonn, from 1-2 December 2018, using the capacity-building materials he developed for the ELC under the auspices of the Project.