Center for International Environment and Resource Policy

Center for International Environment and Resource Policy is a research institution based at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, focusing on environmental policy and natural resource management issues, often in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund, The Nature Conservancy, and International Union for Conservation of Nature. The center's work involves sustainable development and climate change research, engaging with organizations like United Nations Environment Programme, World Bank, and Asian Development Bank. By analyzing global governance structures, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the center aims to inform environmental policy decisions, similar to the work of Environmental Defense Fund and World Resources Institute.

● Overview

The Center for International Environment and Resource Policy conducts research on various aspects of environmental policy, including biodiversity conservation, water management, and energy policy, often in partnership with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, United States Environmental Protection Agency, and European Environment Agency. Its research focuses on the intersection of environmental issues and international relations, involving global governance and multilateral agreements like the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity. The center's work is interdisciplinary, drawing on insights from economics, political science, and environmental science, similar to the approaches of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and Stanford University's Woods Institute for the Environment. By engaging with policymakers and stakeholders from government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities like ExxonMobil and Royal Dutch Shell, the center seeks to contribute to the development of effective environmental policies.

● History

The Center for International Environment and Resource Policy was established at The Fletcher School at Tufts University to address the growing need for research and analysis on international environmental issues, building on the legacy of Rachel Carson and Gro Harlem Brundtland. The center's history reflects the evolving nature of global environmental governance, with a focus on sustainable development and climate change mitigation, as outlined in the Brundtland Commission's report Our Common Future. Over the years, the center has collaborated with various organizations, including World Health Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and International Energy Agency, to advance environmental policy research and inform decision-making processes, such as those related to the Kyoto Protocol and the Copenhagen Accord. The center's research has been influenced by the work of prominent environmental scholars like Paul Ehrlich and Amory Lovins, as well as policymakers like Al Gore and Angela Merkel.

● Research and Programs

The Center for International Environment and Resource Policy undertakes research on a range of topics, including climate change adaptation, water security, and biodiversity conservation, often in collaboration with National Aeronautics and Space Administration, European Space Agency, and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The center's research programs involve fieldwork and data analysis, as well as policy analysis and stakeholder engagement, engaging with organizations like The World Bank's International Finance Corporation and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. By examining the interactions between environmental systems and human societies, the center aims to develop sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, such as those outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets. The center's research has been published in various academic journals, including Nature, Science, and Environmental Science & Technology, and has informed policy decisions at the local, national, and international levels, including those related to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants.

● Organization and Partnerships

The Center for International Environment and Resource Policy is based at The Fletcher School at Tufts University, with a network of research affiliates and partners from around the world, including University of Oxford's Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment and University of California, Berkeley's Energy and Resources Group. The center collaborates with government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities, such as United States Agency for International Development, World Wildlife Fund, and Royal Dutch Shell, to advance environmental policy research and capacity building, similar to the work of International Institute for Environment and Development and World Business Council for Sustainable Development. By engaging with stakeholders from diverse backgrounds and sectors, the center seeks to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing on environmental issues, such as those related to deforestation and ocean conservation, and to promote sustainable development and environmental stewardship, as outlined in the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development.

● Policy Impact and Publications

The Center for International Environment and Resource Policy has contributed to the development of environmental policies and international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity, through its research and policy analysis, often in collaboration with United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environment Programme, and World Bank. The center's research has been published in various academic journals and policy briefs, and has informed decision-making processes at the local, national, and international levels, including those related to the European Union's Environmental Policy and the United States' National Environmental Policy Act. By engaging with policymakers and stakeholders, the center seeks to promote evidence-based policy and sustainable development, as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals and the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, and to advance the global environmental agenda, as reflected in the work of Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services and United Nations Environment Programme's Environmental Governance program.

Category:Environmental organizations