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Overview

Our Vision

 

A fair, effective and accessible system of international law that protects the global environment and promotes sustainable development.

Our Mission

 

We contribute to this through

  • Advocacy for broader access to environmental justice and fairer international laws and institutions

    International laws and institutions have an increasing impact on countries, communities and people. It can be very difficult to understand complicated international processes, let alone influence them. We work to level the playing field and help those at risk to make their voices heard.

  • Advice and capacity building for groups ranging from poor communities to senior government officials.

    FIELD works to empower others and build their capacity long term. We help community groups, advise NGOs, and train government officials in international negotiations.

  • Research on international law, policy and national practice

    The international negotiations that we are engaged in, for example on climate change and biodiversity, aim to tackle unprecedented threats, so require unprecedented responses. FIELD is proud to be contributing to the solutions through our research.

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Overview

 

FIELD is a group of public international lawyers committed to helping vulnerable countries, communities and campaigners negotiate for fairer international environmental laws.


FIELD celebrated its 20th birthday in 2009. Our work is part campaigning, part research, and part the work of a conventional law firm. We work with local partners, national and international NGOs and institutions.
We have a worldwide reputation for expertise in the development and application of international environmental law and for siding with the disadvantaged. For example, we have advised the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) in international climate change negotiations for many years.
FIELD has charitable (not for profit) status. Our registered charity number is 802 934.


Dowload FIELD brochure (Feb 2009, PDF)


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FIELD History

Created back in the 1989, FIELD now presents just over twenty years of strong expertise and unique experience in international environmental law. To hear more about the historic developments and early years of our organisation, watch five short videos from the FIELD founders James Cameron and Philippe Sands.

 

FIELD and IIED – complementing each other

 


In 2005, FIELD became an independent subsidiary of the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED). FIELD and IIED share offices and a Board of Trustees.


This institutional alliance brings together our legal expertise and IIED's expertise in social, political and economic sciences. FIELD remains an independent charitable organisation and we are responsible for raising our own funds.


More about at IIED at www.iied.org


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What we do

 

Whenever possible we provide our services on a pro bono basis, using funding from foundation grants, governmental institutions and our fee income.


We also take on fee-paying work. For example, we advise other NGOs on the legal aspects of international campaign strategies and governmental agencies on issues related to international treaties.


To contact FIELD with an enquiry regarding our services, please email field@field.org.uk.


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Work areas 

 

We can undertake work on a broad range of environment and sustainable development-related issues, but we focus on three core work areas:

  • Climate change and energy
  • Biodiversity and marine environments
  • Trade, investment and sustainable development

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FIELD's funders

 

FIELD receives funding from a range of donors, including government departments, intergovernmental organisations, international institutions and foundations.


FIELD is particularly grateful to the Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation and The Christensen Fund for their support.


FIELD would also like to thank its individual donors.


If you have comments on our work, please feel free to email field@field.org.uk
 

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Data protection statement

 

Your name and contact details will be used to provide you with information about FIELD-related activities via FIELD's email list.
In the future you may also receive information from our sister organisation the International Institute for Environment and Development (www.iied.org). Please email field@field.org.uk to let us know if you do not wish to receive information from IIED.
FIELD does not share your information with other third parties, unless legally required to do so.
If you wish to be removed from FIELD's email list, please email field@field.org.uk with the words 'please remove' in the subject line.
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Sustainability statement

 

FIELD is carrying out its activities in a sustainable manner wherever possible. FIELD aims to minimise its greenhouse gas emissions, to minimise waste and to undertake all its work with environmental and social sustainability in mind.
FIELD takes this into account both in planning its activities, for example, in project design, as well as in its day to day activities.


Office operation
FIELD aims to minimise use of energy, paper, water. We also currently recycle paper, card, glass, plastic, foil and cans. Organic and garden waste is being composted. End-of-life computers are given to ComputerAid for re-use.


Purchasing and outsourced suppliers
Whenever outsourcing or purchasing, FIELD chooses suppliers that meet environmental and sustainable development criteria (for example, sustainable printers for our publications, environmentally friendly computers, and charity travel agent).

Transport
Our work is international in nature, which includes travel and work in other countries.
In making choices regarding travel FIELD considers the following:
• Is the trip necessary? Could it be replaced by electronic means, phone or video conferencing?
• Can the trip be combined with another trip or trips to minimise air miles or other travel?
• In the financial year 09/10 FIELD will offset its air travel with the EquiClimate scheme, which will be reviewed annually.
• In Europe FIELD staff travel by train rather than air whenever feasible.
Transport to and from work - all FIELD staff travel to and from work with public transport, and no private cars are used.