Law, economies and justice

Around the world, people are experiencing the social and ecological consequences of economic transformations – from large-scale investments in agriculture, energy, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure, to trading arrangements that integrate small-scale producers in global value chains.

Many governments look to international investment and trade as sources of economic growth, jobs and public revenues. But these processes often shake established ways of life, drive deforestation, expropriate land and foster inequalities.

IIED’s law, economies and justice programme works with partner organisations around the world on renegotiating the law to promote fairer, more sustainable economies. This involves, for example, collaborating with partners to:

• Support law reforms and legal empowerment approaches that strengthen the rights of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and small-scale producers
• Provide technical assistance to governments and advocates working to regulate investment and trade, and
• Contribute to international talks on issues such as investment, human rights, food systems and the environment.   

Every few months we send out updates on the initiative. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed.

Contact: Lorenzo Cotula ([email protected]), principal researcher and head of programme – law, economies and justice.

• Learn more about the programme of work by reading this blog.