Field visit to the Rio Cobre, Jamaica, with Caribbean Climate Litigation and Escazú Agreement Workshop participants, June 2024. Credit: Constanza Dougnac, FIMA
Promoting enabling conditions for the implementation of the Escazú Agreement in the Caribbean and facilitating the implementation of climate litigation within the region by improving knowledge of the Agreement among civil society organisations, highlighting its benefits to governments, and building the capacities of regional environmental lawyers (April – November 2024).
The Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean, known as the Escazú Agreement was adopted on March 4, 2018, in Escazú, Costa Rica. This landmark treaty aims to protect the human rights of Environmental Defenders in the LAC region and is concerned with the rights to access information in environmental matters, public participation in environmental decision-making, environmental justice and a healthy and sustainable environment for current and future generations.
Strengthening the link between the Escazú Agreement and climate change is essential to address the challenges of climate litigation in the region. This requires enhancing the knowledge of the Escazú Agreement among civil society organisations, highlighting its benefits to governments, and building the capacities of regional environmental lawyers. Effective implementation of the Escazú Agreement is therefore critical for enhancing environmental governance and protection in Latin America and the Caribbean.
About the Project
The Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI) has partnered with the Corporación Fiscalía del Medio Ambiente (FIMA) to implement this regional project. Since the entering into effect of the Escazú Agreement, Governments, the Elected Representatives of the Public, and civil society organisations have been designing and delivering strategies to accelerate the implementation of the Agreement within the national legal frameworks of the Party members. Additionally, civil society organisations continue to advocate for the accession of those states who have not ratified the Agreement, and to make necessary amendments within their legal and judicial frameworks toward the principles and standards that the Agreement promotes.
How has this project benefitted the Caribbean region?
- By creating a supportive environment for the Escazú Agreement, helping to enable its principles of access to information, public participation, and environmental justice to take root across the Caribbean.
- By strengthening capacity for climate litigation amongst legal experts and civil society’s capacity to access rights and address climate-related challenges through the justice system.
- By strengthening a robust network connecting environmental defenders, legal practitioners, and civil society organisations, advancing the Caribbean’s commitment to drive the adoption and implementation of the Escazú Agreement.
What activities did we undertake to achieve this?
Component A
FIMA and CANARI designed and delivered a specialised climate litigation and Escazú Agreement course for Caribbean environmental lawyers.
Component B
Design and implementation of an awareness raising campaign to engage key stakeholders on the benefits to the Escazu Agreement and advance its adoption and implementation in the region.
What did we achieve?
- FIMA/ CANARI Caribbean Climate Litigation and Escazú Agreement Workshop
ROK Hotel, Kingston Jamaica, June 25th – 28th 2024
Summary Report – FIMA & CANARI Caribbean Climate Litigation and Escazú Agreement Workshop
- Campaign Launch: Caribbean Perspectives on Escazú: Our Rights, Our Future
The Breadfruit Collective (Sub-grantee), November 6th 2024
Link to Launch Event – YouTube
Project news
The Breadfruit Collective Campaign Launch Blog
Project communications
More information about this project
- Download the Escazú Agreement
- Learn more about the Escazú Agreement – https://www.cepal.org/en/escazuagreement
- Sign up with ECLAC Regional Public Mechanism to stay up-to-date on the Escazú Agreement
- Join the mailing list for the “Caribbean Perspectives on Escazu: Our Rights, Our Future” campaign – https://shorturl.at/IMbZC
- The Caribbean Climate Justice and Resilience Agenda
- Contact Dylis McDonald, Senior Technical Officer, at dylis@canari.org
Related projects and programmes
At-A-Glance
Aim: This project aims to promote enabling conditions for the implementation of the Escazú Agreement in the Caribbean, and to facilitate the implementation of climate litigation within the region.
Timeframe: April 1 – November 30, 2024
Budget: US$120,000
Funded by: FIMA ONG
Related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
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Related CANARI Programme Area:
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Empowered Civil Society