Research
Over the past decade, we have contributed to more than a thousand policy-relevant publications in a range of specialist areas within climate change, energy, sustainability and water law.
Four active research groups and multiple projects
Some CCEEL members at the first annual writing retreat in Koli, September 2024.
Within their areas of expertise, our leading research groups cover a range of geographic areas from international to regional to domestic law:
Global Climate Change Law
Our group research activities focus on key areas including the United Nations climate change regime, European Union climate change law and policy, climate justice , human rights and climate change litigation, the role of non-state actors in climate change governance, the nexus between climate change and forests, air quality and trade law. We also deal with theoretical aspects of climate change law and governance.
Energy Law
Our group researches a range of legal and interdisciplinary topics including international and European energy law and policy, energy transition governance, constitutional and institutional governance of the energy sector, legal and regulatory issues in natural gas markets and use, international petroleum law and policy, comparative energy law and policy, and renewable energy. We also focus on the interface between energy and international trade and investment law.
Sustainability Law
We examine the role of law in driving just and sustainable transformations in the greatest sustainability challenges: climate action, biodiversity conservation, and zero pollution. We investigate theoretical and practical aspects of legal systems across various sectors like energy, urban development, and marine ecosystems, aiming to align legal frameworks with ambitious sustainability objectives.
Law in Water and Environmental Governance
Our group focuses on the study of law and society from a spatial river basin perspective, drawing on theories of social-ecological systems and adaptive governance. Our approach to water and environmental law is multi-level and multi-sectoral, considering it as a broad societal issue. The group is made up of environmental law and policy scholars who collaborate with other legal fields, scientific disciplines and research institutions around the world.