![Row or world flags on a city street](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_1600x900/public/2023-08/law-interior-hero-global-center.jpg?h=993b43e0&itok=_07kdprj)
Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies
Making a Global Impact
The Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies (GCELS) at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University anchors innovative and ongoing projects to develop necessary laws to address the world’s most pressing global environmental issues. Our work is guided by the paramount need to ensure human rights and environmental justice for communities most affected by climate change and environmental degradation.
Global Opportunities for Students
GCELS offer several opportunities for law students to advance their experiences in and understanding of global environmental issues. The United Nations Environmental Diplomacy Practicum allows students to serve as representatives of UN missions, including those of the IUCN and various small island nations, and to address pressing environmental matters with diplomats at the United Nations. Our Brazil Comparative Environmental Law Program offers a combination of classroom and field training.
![Elisabeth Haub School of Law students as part of panel at a conference](/sites/default/files/styles/1_1_1600x1600/public/2024-06/law-50-50-global-center-student-opportunities.jpg?h=ba226ffe&itok=VV5mi7BX)
![small transparent globe sitting on moss of the forest floor.](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_1600x900/public/2023-07/law-school-full-width-iucn-stat.jpg?h=854a7be2&itok=B-LbnszZ)
Global Influence in Environmental Law
Haub Law is one of only two law schools that is a voting member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s oldest and largest global environmental network.
International Partnerships
Through the Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies (GCELS), the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University has been a member of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 1982. This partnership with the IUCN affords students and faculty with unique opportunities for research, education and global collaboration. GCELS actively participates in the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) every four years, and has supported various sectors of the IUCN, including the World Commission on Environmental Law. Haub Law also played a key role in the development of the IUCN Academy of Environmental Law and serves as co-secretariat.
![French President Emmanuel Macron speaking at the IUCN World Conservation Congress.](/sites/default/files/styles/1_1_1600x1600/public/2023-07/law-5050-iucn-motions.jpg?h=ba226ffe&itok=CznGAogk)
Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomacy
Since 1979, the Haub Award has recognized the innovation, skill, and accomplishments of lawyers, diplomats, international civil servants and other advocates who work to create the world environmental order and is considered the world’s most prestigious award in the field of environmental law.
![Amassador Marie Jacobson speaking at the 2023 Elisabeth Haub Award for Environmental Law and Diplomat](/sites/default/files/styles/16_9_1600x900/public/2024-08/law-video-with-text-haub-award-2023.jpg?h=854a7be2&itok=JyfcjHk9)