Current | Institute of Marine & Environmental Law

Towards a Legal Framework for OECMs in South Africa

The important role of law in supporting and strengthening the recognition of OECMs has recently attracted global attention. Some countries, including South Africa, are currently exploring the development of domestic OECM legislation.

The Judiciary’s Role in Preventing Protected Areas Downsizing, Downgrading and Degazettement

Protected areas downgrading, downsizing and degazettement (PADDD) has received growing international attention. Recent efforts to establish a coal mine in the Mabola Protected Environment (MPE) provide a perfect example of PADDD.

Critiquing Efforts to Water-Down the Regulation of Activities in the Kruger National Park

In 2024, the Government proposed a streamlined EIA process to expedite the approval of many activities linked to the construction and upgrading of tourism infrastructure, maintenance and conservation within the Kruger National Park.

The Potential Impact of New Screening Trends Linked to Strategic Infrastructure Projects, Corridors and Zones on Biodiversity Conservation

To meet its global biodiversity commitments, South Africa will need to more than triple its current land coverage within protected and conserved areas in the next five years. It has identified priority focus areas to target.

IMEL Awarded the Hosting of the 23rd IUCNAEL Colloquium (2026)

IMEL is very excited about being awarded the privilege to host the 23rd IUCN Academy of Environmental Law (AEL) Colloquium to be held in the Faculty of Law at the University of Cape Town in December 2026.

Participating in the IUCNAEL Colloquium (India 2024)

The 21st IUCN Academy of Environmental Law (AEL) Colloquium was hosted this year in July by the Gujarat National Law University situated in Gandhinagar (India).

Engaging with Harvard’s Global Scholars Academy on Linkages between Climate Change and Biodiversity Law

The Harvard Law School’s Institute for Global Law and Policy’s Global Scholars Academy is an intensive residential experience designed to enable junior faculty and post-doctoral scholars drawn from across the world.

Building Environmental Law Capacity within the African Judiciary

In March 2024, Professor Sandy Paterson was invited by the Judicial Institute for Africa to present an Environmental Law Training Programme to 25 judges drawn from 12 African countries.

IMEL PhD Students Awarded Scholarships to Attend a Prestigious University of Geneva SDG Summer School on Planetary Health

We wish to congratulate two IMEL PhD students, Danjelle Midgely and Nadine Nyamangirazi, who have been awarded EU Albatross scholarships.

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