Research and Other Publications
Developing Effective Environmental Laws and Policies
Improving Environmental Governance through Natural Resource Certification
In recent years, the international community has started to explore ways in which natural resource certification may be used to address human rights issues and armed conflict. For example, the international effort to develop a certification scheme for diamonds is aimed at preventing the flow of “conflict diamonds” that fuel armed conflicts in Sierra Leone, Angola, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Certification schemes also appear to provide opportunities to improve the governance aspects of natural resource management, for instance by promoting a clear chain of custody that hinders corruption.
In 2003, ELI released a research report – entitled “Harnessing Consumer Power: Using Certification Systems to Promote Good Governance” – that examines the state of knowledge on how certification of natural resources can promote environmental and social sustainability, improve governance, and prevent, mitigate, or end armed conflict. The report also considers the legal aspects of certification, particularly how certification systems can be made more enforceable and effective. Because certification is still rapidly evolving, the report focuses on concepts and analyses that look forward to potential ways in which natural resource certification may be expanded to address conflict, promote good governance, and advance human rights.
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