Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy

Welcome to CSDLP

The Centre for Sustainable Development Law and Policy focuses on environmental sustainability and the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals in all its dimensions: environmental, economic, and social.

Our centre's vision is for a sustainable future for present and future generations, where life in harmony with nature can flourish, through outstanding research and innovation that enables societies to co-develop transformative economic models and technological innovations that are grounded in ecological preservation, the protection of human and planetary health, social inclusion and human rights. The UN SDGs serve as cross-cutting themes in our projects, undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Meet the CSDLP Team

United Nation Sustainable Development Goals

Mission

Our centre's mission is to expand and deepen human knowledge through interdisciplinary and international collaborations. Our research is challenge-led, curiosity-driven, and solution-oriented, and our engagement with our partners enables societal transformations and transitions towards safer climate futures where everyone can thrive.

More about sustainability at Durham

Teaching and Learning

Students sitting on grass at Durham Maidan Castle

Our Projects

View our sustainability-focused programmes

JusTN0W

JusTN0W is the flagship project of the CSDLP. It is developing a world-leading interdisciplinary work programme to research sustainable and just solutions for accelerated decarbonisation of economies, and to achieve lasting societal well-being for the present and future generations.

Learn more about JusTN0W

CSDLP at COPs

Each year, a team from CSDLP attends the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the UNFCCC accreditation. We will be at COP30 in Brazil and, among other activities, we will host an official UNFCCC side event. Explore further and learn more about our work at past COPS and our plans for this year.

Learn more about our engagment with COPs

Join our network

News

Prof Elisa Morgera Contributes to Climate Justice Discussions in Australia

Professor Elisa Morgera conducted an academic visit to Australia in mid-May in her capacity as UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, contributing to national and international discussions on human rights, climate governance, and the energy transition.

Global research
Prof Elisa Morgera Joins Global Conversations at Santa Marta

Professor Elisa Morgera (UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights) participated in the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia, including in an event co-organized by the Colombian Ministers of Environment and of Agriculture to reflect on the synergies with the Second International Conference on Agrarian Reform held in Cartagena, Colombia, a month earlier.

Research news
COP30 Debrief at Durham Castle brings global climate insights to local audience

On Wednesday evening, the historic Durham Castle was the venue for the Centre for Sustainable Development Law & Policy’s annual COP30 debrief event. This annual highlight of the CSDLP calendar, began at 8pm in the Great Hall and brought together students, academics, members of the wider community and NGOs from around the world to reflect on the outcomes of COP30 in Belém.

Durham news

Prof Elisa Morgera Contributes to Climate Justice Discussions in Australia

Professor Elisa Morgera conducted an academic visit to Australia in mid-May in her capacity as UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights, contributing to national and international discussions on human rights, climate governance, and the energy transition.

Global research

Prof Elisa Morgera Joins Global Conversations at Santa Marta

Professor Elisa Morgera (UN Special Rapporteur on Climate Change and Human Rights) participated in the First Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels in Santa Marta, Colombia, including in an event co-organized by the Colombian Ministers of Environment and of Agriculture to reflect on the synergies with the Second International Conference on Agrarian Reform held in Cartagena, Colombia, a month earlier.

Research news

COP30 Debrief at Durham Castle brings global climate insights to local audience

On Wednesday evening, the historic Durham Castle was the venue for the Centre for Sustainable Development Law & Policy’s annual COP30 debrief event. This annual highlight of the CSDLP calendar, began at 8pm in the Great Hall and brought together students, academics, members of the wider community and NGOs from around the world to reflect on the outcomes of COP30 in Belém.

Durham news

More news

Upcoming events

Net-Zero Knowledge Exchange

Thursday 4 June 2026 - Thursday 4 June 2026

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Durham Business School, Waterside Building, Riverside Place, DH1 1SL
Just Transitions to a Net Zero World: Third Annual International Conference

Thursday 10 September 2026 - Friday 11 September 2026

9:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Durham Campus