Centre for International Sustainable Development Law

Name

Centre for International Sustainable Development Law

Legal name

Centre for International Sustainable Development Law

Website

https://cisdl.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Sustainable Development Law Research and Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (611710), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal & Governance Professional Development (EDAGANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Legal & Compliance (CLE, Paralegal CE) (EDAAALAB), Legal, Governance, Privacy & Audit Certifications (EDAAANAN), Professional Certification & Training Content Publishing (Exam Prep, CE/CPD) (MPAJACAL)

Keywords

• International sustainable development law
• Climate law research
• Legal education programmes
• Biodiversity law governance
• Environmental law scholarship

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Publications and Book Sales: CISDL produces academic publications including textbooks, research handbooks, and legal analysis published through university presses such as Oxford University Press, Routledge, and Edward Elgar. Authors and editors include CISDL Senior Fellows and Lead Counsel.
2. Education and Training Programmes: DemEd Global offers online specialization courses in climate law and governance. The programme provides scholarships to learners from climate-vulnerable countries. Revenue is generated through course fees and institutional partnerships.
3. Events and Conferences: CISDL organizes global symposia, Climate Law & Governance Days, Biodiversity Law & Governance Days, and learning roundtables that bring together international experts, practitioners, and policymakers. These events may generate revenue through registration fees and sponsorships.
4. Research Grants and Commissioned Studies: CISDL receives funding from foundations such as the European Climate Foundation to conduct legal research and produce working papers on investment law, trade, and climate governance.
5. Fellowship Programme: CISDL offers Global Research Fellowships for legal scholars and practitioners. The fellowship programme provides professional development, research opportunities, and network access to members from developing countries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

CISDL is a legal research charity that produces international sustainable development law scholarship, delivers online legal education programmes (DemEd Global and CLE courses), organizes global events (Climate Law & Governance Day, Biodiversity Law & Governance Day, Biennial Global Online Symposium), and publishes academic books and working papers through university presses (Oxford, Routledge, Edward Elgar). It advises international tribunals on climate and sustainable development law.

Product overview

The Centre for International Sustainable Development Law (CISDL) is a legal research charity offering a portfolio of educational programmes, publications, and events focused on international sustainable development law. The core offerings include the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DemEd Global) online education programme providing climate law and governance specialisation courses; the Global Online Symposium series hosting biennial events on human rights and sustainable development; and accredited Continuing Legal Education (CLE) courses for legal professionals. The organisation publishes major academic texts including the Oxford University Press textbook on Sustainable Development Law, Edward Elgar's Research Handbook on Investment Law, and Routledge's Climate Law and Governance Handbook. CISDL also produces legal working papers, foresight reports, and the SDG Treaty Wheel reference tool. Annual events include Climate Law & Governance Day during UNFCCC COP sessions and Biodiversity Law & Governance Day during CBD COP sessions. The Global Research Fellowship Programme engages scholars in seven legal research programme areas. All offerings integrate environment, human rights and economy through legal scholarship and empowerment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CLE (Continuing Legal Education): A registration and education platform providing legal courses and professional development in sustainable development law.
• Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DemEd Global)
• Climate Law & Governance Initiative (CLGI)
• Biodiversity Law & Governance Day (BLGD)

Products and services

• Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DemEd Global) Online education programme providing climate law and policy education for future climate leaders from highly climate-affected countries worldwide. Co-hosted by Lucy Cavendish College and Hughes Hall at the University of Cambridge, offering specialization courses with full scholarships.
• Global Online Symposium Series Biennial international symposiums convening national and international experts, leaders, scholars, students and practitioners to explore global law and governance trends, challenges and insights for achieving the SDGs.
• Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Courses Online legal education courses accredited by appropriate bar associations, offering modules for legal professionals seeking professional development in sustainable development law.
• Tensions, Tribunals & Transformations Learning Hub Online learning platform providing access to recorded keynote speeches, roundtable sessions, and educational resources from global events on sustainable development law teaching and research.
• Global Research Fellowship Programme Two-year renewable fellowship for sustainable development lawyers and researchers. Members engage in CISDL's seven legal research programmes, conduct legal research, write or edit publications, and provide peer review.
• Climate Law & Governance Day Annual event held during UNFCCC COP sessions, convening law faculties, institutes, international organization counsel, government authorities, law associations, judges, and professionals for capacity building on climate law and governance.
• Biodiversity Law & Governance Day Annual event held during Convention on Biological Diversity COP sessions, facilitating dialogue, engagement and action to implement the CBD regime and Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Sustainable Development Law: Principles, Practices, and Prospects (2nd ed) High-level textbook examining international sustainable development law, including critical legal developments across climate change, biodiversity, social equity, and economic sustainability. Published by Oxford University Press.
• Research Handbook on Investment Law and Sustainable Development Research Handbook examining how investment law and policy can foster or frustrate sustainable development goals. Features contributions from leading professors and practitioners. Published by Edward Elgar.
• ECF-CISDL Future of Trade in a Net Zero World Foresight Report Legal solutions report providing suggestions for legal provisions that can be adopted by States to foster the desired Green Scenario for net zero trade by 2040. Funded by European Climate Foundation.
• Climate and Investment Law Nexus Reimagined Working Paper Legal working paper identifying best practices that support climate action and legal barriers within investment arbitration. Provides guidance for policymakers on reconciling investment frameworks with sustainability objectives.
• CISDL Voices on International Tribunal Advisory Opinions on Climate Change Research and commentary on ITLOS, IACtHR, ICJ and AfCHPR advisory opinions on climate change. Provides analysis of sustainable development dimensions of international tribunals' advice on state responsibility for climate change.
• SDG Treaty Wheel Visual reference tool mapping international treaties across the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Authored by Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger, Damilola Olawuyi, and Tejas Rao.
• Courage, Contributions and Compliance: The Routledge Handbook of Climate Law and Governance Comprehensive handbook addressing global climate law, governance frameworks, and strategies for implementing the Paris Agreement. Edited by Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger and Prof. Christina Voigt. Published by Routledge.
• Net Zero and Natural Resources Law: Sovereignty, Security, and Solidarity in the Clean Energy Transition Book analyzing natural resources law and policy for clean energy transition toward net zero. Features global case studies and practical legal strategies. Published by Oxford University Press.

Quantifiable outcome

• Contributed to landmark advisory opinions defining States' climate obligations under international law
• +3 more outcomes

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

41 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Lucy Cavendish College, University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the Democratising Education for Global Sustainability and Justice (DemEd Global) programme, which provides climate law and policy education to future leaders from climate-vulnerable countries.
• Hughes Hall, University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the DemEd Global programme alongside Lucy Cavendish College and CISDL, focusing on democratizing climate law education for global sustainability and justice.
• McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal PluralismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of the 2026 Biennial Global Online Symposium on Human Rights, Sustainable Development and the Law, with cooperation from McGill University's law faculty.
• Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat (SCBD)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in organizing Biodiversity Law & Governance Day events at CBD COP meetings, providing guidance for the global biodiversity law and governance community of practice.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Biodiversity Law & Governance Day events and climate law initiatives, supporting capacity building for biodiversity law implementation.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in biodiversity law and governance events, collaborating on environmental law and sustainable development research.
• International Union for Conservation of Nature World Commission on Environmental Law (IUCN-WCEL)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in climate and biodiversity law events. Adv Ayman Cherkaoui serves as Deputy Chair of IUCN WCEL. Collaborative work on advisory opinions to international tribunals on climate change.
• International Development Law Organization (IDLO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in biodiversity law and governance initiatives, contributing to legal capacity building for sustainable development implementation.
• University of MontrealcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the Global Online Symposium 2026 and ongoing legal research collaboration. Prof Konstantia Koutouki is Professor at Université de Montréal.
• University of CambridgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey academic partner hosting DemEd Global programme and contributing Senior Fellows including Prof Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger and Adv Tejas Rao.
• London School of EconomicsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the symposium and Global School of Sustainability collaboration, with Dr Ashfaq Khalfan serving as CISDL Board Chair and LSE faculty.
• University of Costa RicamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with Prof Jorge Cabrera serving as Lead Counsel and Governor. Collaborates on biodiversity governance and sustainable development law research.
• Yale UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the symposium with Prof Maya Prabhu affiliated with Yale Law School. Contributes to intergenerational justice and indigenous rights discussions.
• Hamad Bin Khalifa UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with Prof Damilola S. Olawuyi holding UNESCO Chair in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development. Major contributor to publications and events.
• Swiss Italian UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing to trade, investment and finance research through Prof Ilaria Espa.
• Afe Babalola UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in the Global Online Symposium 2026.
• University of ZambiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner with Dr Pamela Towela Sambo serving as Senior Fellow and Private Law Lecturer. Collaborates on environmental justice and climate law research.
• International Law Association (ILA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner in symposium and ongoing legal scholarship. The ILA New Delhi Declaration on Principles of International Law relating to Sustainable Development (2002) informs CISDL research.
• International Inter-Tribal Trade & Investment Organization (IITIO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in indigenous rights and intergenerational justice initiatives, with Prof Wayne Garnons-Williams serving as board member.
• McGill Journal of Sustainable Development LawminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic journal partner in the Global Online Symposium 2026, providing publication platform for sustainable development law research.
• Nigerian Journal of Sustainable Development Law and PolicyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic journal partner in the Global Online Symposium 2026.
• Cambridge International Law JournalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic journal partner in the Global Online Symposium 2026.
• Canada's Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the Global Online Symposium 2026, contributing to sustainable development solutions dialogue.
• International Bar AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in global experts plenaries and climate law discussions, engaging legal practitioners worldwide.
• Middlesex University DubaiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Learning Hub roundtables on sustainable development law teaching and training innovations.
• Global Network for Human Rights and the EnvironmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in global experts plenary on human rights and climate change.
• International Law Association of CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Global Experts Plenary on linking human rights and climate change.
• Brazilian Bar Association - Rio Grande do SulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in global experts plenary on natural resources management, with Prof Alessandra Lehmen serving as President of OAB/RS Environmental Law Commission.
• University of Caxias do SulminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in trade, investment and natural resources management discussions.
• University of Cambridge Centre for Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources GovernanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in natural resources management and sustainable investment research.
• World Trade InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner contributing expertise on trade law and sustainable development.
• Green Trade NetworkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in trade and investment discussions on sustainable natural resources management.
• University of VictoriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner in Indigenous rights and intergenerational justice discussions.
• National Sixties Scoop Healing Foundation of CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Indigenous rights and intergenerational justice initiatives.
• World Future CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in future generations rights and sustainable development governance.
• UNESCO Voices of Future GenerationsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in intergenerational justice and children's rights initiatives, producing the Voices of the Future book series.
• Government of PakistanmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSigned Letter of Agreement at COP 29 to provide 150 scholarships for Pakistani climate leaders through DemEd Global programme.
• Government of BangladeshmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DemEd Global scholarships programme, receiving scholarships for future climate leaders.
• Government of LiberiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DemEd Global scholarships programme, receiving scholarships for future climate leaders.
• Government of Sierra LeonemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in DemEd Global scholarships programme, receiving scholarships for future climate leaders.
• Institute of Business Administration, PakistanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner supporting climate education in Pakistan, with head of Program and Partnerships Sy Sohail advocating for climate literacy.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Union for Conservation of Nature - World Commission on Environmental Law (IUCN-WCEL): IUCN-WCEL is a global commission of environmental law experts and jurists producing scholarship, advice, and interventions on international environmental law - directly comparable to CISDL's mission and overlapping fellow network. CISDL's Ayman Cherkaoui serves as IUCN-WCEL Deputy Chair, evidencing operational overlap.
• International Development Law Organization (IDLO): IDLO is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting the rule of law and legal capacity building for sustainable development - closely overlapping CISDL's mandate across climate, biodiversity, and legal capacity-building programmes, and listed as a major partner.
• Climate Law and Governance Centre (King's College London): Directed by Prof Megan Bowman (a CISDL Fellow), this center produces research and events on climate law and governance. Its mission, event programming, and scholar pipeline align tightly with CISDL's climate change programme.
• Environmental Law Institute (ELI): ELI is a US-based nonprofit research and education center producing environmental law scholarship, courses, and publications. It addresses the same core need as CISDL - independent environmental legal research, professional education, and policy engagement - with similar publication and training outputs.
• Sabin Center for Climate Change Law (Columbia): A Columbia Law School academic center producing climate law research, papers, and policy briefs for governments and advocates. Highly comparable to CISDL's scholarly output and convening function on climate law, with overlapping expertise in international climate litigation.

Broad incumbents

• International Law Association (ILA): A much broader and longer-established international legal scholarly body whose New Delhi Declaration (2002) on sustainable development principles is foundational to CISDL's work. CISDL partners with ILA, but ILA operates across all international law rather than specializing in sustainable development law.
• Earthjustice: Earthjustice is a major US environmental law organization providing legal representation and policy advocacy on environmental and climate issues. It is comparable in mission space (environmental law for sustainability) but operates through litigation rather than scholarship and education.
• ClientEarth: ClientEarth is a larger environmental law NGO that uses strategic litigation, advocacy, and legal capacity building across climate, biodiversity, and human rights. It overlaps with CISDL's audience and outputs but is primarily a litigation/advocacy organization rather than a scholarship/education charity.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): UNEP is the UN's designated entity for environmental policy and law, including capacity building and treaty implementation support. CISDL partners with UNEP, and both organizations work on environmental legal frameworks and capacity building, but UNEP operates on a vastly larger intergovernmental scale.

Emerging players

• World Resources Institute (WRI): WRI is a global research organization producing data-driven research on environment and sustainable development, including on climate law and policy. While its core competency is data and policy analysis rather than legal scholarship, it overlaps with CISDL on policy advisory and convening functions.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ciel_tweets

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Centre for International Sustainable Development Law