Akinola Afolarin, a Fellow of the Institute for Energy Democracy at the Pace Energy and Climate Center has led a group of sustainability experts to launch the Center for Global Sustainability Law (CGSL), an interdisciplinary research and policy Center that focuses on the intersection between law and sustainability, by expounding on the critical role of law and emerging regulations in advancing a sustainable future that leaves no one behind. According to Akinola, the establishment of the Center is imperative to employ the instrumentality of law to advance global sustainability. Speaking further, he states that “our world faces a wide range of challenges that cut across environmental, social and economic issues. In addressing these challenges, we have over the years emphasized the finance and the scientific sides of sustainability, while less attention is paid to the legal framework needed to propel the efforts being made to address the problems.”
When asked about how the current political climate might be impacting climate and sustainability efforts, Akinola opined that “notwithstanding the current political climate in some countries which might have resulted in some organizations scaling back on their climate-related targets, we must constantly be reminded that the goal of a sustainable world transcends climate change. Even more critical is the fact that the challenges that our world is daily confronted with, cannot be wished away on the altar of the political disposition of any government. Governments are transient but sustainability problems could last for generations, and even worsen. Therefore, as these challenges increase, so must our collective response be intensified. This is why CGSL is here.”
You can learn more about CGSL at: www.cgsul.org
Email: info@cgsul.org
LinkedIn: Center for Global Sustainability Law
We wish Akinola and his team success as they embark on this critical and impact-driven journey.