Our history

About IIDMA

Law at the service of the Environment

The International Institute for Law and the Environment (IIDMA) is an independent organisation, founded in January 1997 with the aim of contributing to sustainable development and the protection of the environment, through the analysis, implementation and enforcement of the law.

It is the only organisation of its kind in Spain, having been a pioneer in addressing environmental protection through law. It specialises in the fight against climate change, energy transition, governance and sustainability, water resources, biodiversity and oceans.

Our approach

Mission
We work to put law at the service of the environment

Our mission is to contribute to the protection of the environment and promote sustainable development through the research, dissemination, study and development of the law, with emphasis on its correct implementation, compliance and enforcement.

Vision
We aim to protect and restore both the environment and natural resources.

This requires that national and international, public and private institutions, as well as citizens, are aware that, by respecting the law, one of the main mechanisms for coexistence and regulation of human conduct, we will be able to transform environmental policies into action and, therefore, into results.

OUR ROOTS

Foundation

IIDMA was founded in 1997 with the conviction that the implementation of the law is of vital importance to respond to the challenge of protecting our planet. In addition to having been pioneers in Europe, today we are still the only organisation of its kind in Spain.

Projects

At IIDMA we design our own projects and, at the same time, we attend to the needs of public and private organisations that require support for the design and implementation of environmental protection mechanisms based on law and policy. IIDMA's work is carried out at international, national and regional levels.

The IIDMA team

IIDMA's team of professionals has specialised training with expertise in international, EU, comparative and national law. It is complemented by an associated team of specialists in social and natural sciences.

Our trajectory

These are just some of the facts that endorse IIDMA’s professional excellence and trajectory. We are proud to be able to add more and more successes every day.

 

Years working both in Spain and internationally
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Spanish NGO to address environmental protection through law
1 st
Claims filed in favour of the environment
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National and international publications
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UN meetings we have attended
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Millions of tonnes of CO2 per year we try to avoid putting into the atmosphere
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Priority goals

RESEARCH

To research, develop and promote the implementation and enforcement of law as an instrument for environmental protection and sustainable development.

PROMOTE

Development cooperation in the field of environmental protection and sustainable development.

SENSITIZE

The many social actors to ecological problems. To disseminate environmental regulations, contributing to their enforcement.

RESPOND

To the legal challenges posed by scientific and technological advances and their effects on people and the environment.

Great milestones in our history

January 1997
Foundation of IIDMA
April 1998
Study on EU-Moroccan Fisheries Relations

“Local Communities and Fishing Disputes in Saharawi and Moroccan Waters: Opportunities for New Conflict Resolution Mechanisms'” Prepared for the Earth Council.

1998-1999
Ondina project for the sustainable management of shared water resources between Spain and Portugal.
1999
Project on the implementation of the Water Framework Directive in Spain: practical solutions to improve its effectiveness.
September 2001
Compliance Review of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
2002
Assistance to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Right to a Healthy Environment
2002
IberAqua Project: promoting mechanisms for the sustainable management of shared water resources between Spain and Portugal.
2004 - 2014
Analysis of the transposition of environmental directives into Spanish law for the EC
2004
Study on the legal regime for the protection of beaked whales from military sonar manoeuvres
January 2005
Governance for Sustainable Development Project
2006
Publication of 'Environment and International Law: A Practical Guide'
May 2006
Support to the State of Zacatecas (Mexico) in the elaboration of the Water Law Initiative.
2007
Study on the legal regime for the protection of sharks
September 2008
Analysis of the legal-institutional framework for water protection in Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras and Peru
2008 - 2009
Project: "Legal mechanisms for the protection of the marine environment in Spain".
2010
Court victory on behalf of Oceana

The National Court forces the government to provide data on mercury contamination in fish sold in Spain.

January 2013
Work on decarbonisation begins

In 2013, IIDMA began working towards the decarbonisation of the Spanish electricity sector. Since then, it has managed to reduce the authorised emissions of several power plants, has presented studies on the harmful health effects of coal pollution or on how to reconcile the deployment of renewable energies with land and biodiversity, among other projects.

2013 - 2015
Analysis of the implementation of the Common Fisheries Policy regulation in Spain
2017 - 2020
A2J Project on Access to Justice in Environmental Matters

The LIFE-A2J-EARL project aimed to promote the correct implementation and enforcement of EU environmental law through effective access to justice on environmental matters for the public.

November 2017
Court victory on behalf of Oceana

The Supreme Court rules that NGOs can be parties to administrative sanctioning proceedings.

December 2018
Publication of the study: "Public Participation in the elaboration of the National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan: an unavoidable requirement".
April 2019
Historic victory before the Supreme Court

Unprecedented judgment by the Supreme Court: it recognises that an environmental organisation is exempt from paying court costs.

June 2020
Development of a guide to contribute to 'green' reconstruction and recovery in the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis in Spain
2021
Study on national recovery and resilience plans: transparency and public participation
May 2021
Inclusion of the Committee of Experts in the Spanish Climate Change Law thanks to the contributions of IIDMA
2022
Project to promote climate and energy action at the regional level

Accreditations

UN Environment Assembly

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

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