Beyond the institutional fix? The potential of strategic litigation to target natural resource corruption

Strategic litigation has emerged as a crucial institutional space for contesting environmental and natural resource management (NRM) policies worldwide. In many contexts where conservation and NRM practitioners work, ineffective environmental regulations and the rule of law deficits have led to irreparable social and environmental damage, such as the diversion of scarce water from pressing local needs and the disruption of fragile ecosystems. Corruption has enabled this damage, undermining regulations and promoting impunity for violating laws or causing harm. This Brief surveys the history of the strategic litigation concept, explores the three trends that have emerged in its use, and closes with a set of anti-corruption lessons for conservation and NRM practitioners.

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This content is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID, the United States Government, or individual TNRC consortium members.