LocationsUNDP Malawi and the Judicial Training Institute unite to strengthen environmental rule of law through dedicated capacity building
Empowering the Judiciary to Champion Environmental Justice in Malawi
June 18, 2025
The training in Lilongwe brought together judges, magistrates, registrars, and other members of the judiciary.
In response to the escalating environmental challenges facing Malawi, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in collaboration with the Judicial Training Institute of Malawi, held a high-level Judicial Capacity Development Programme on Environmental Justice in Lilongwe.
The one-day intensive training brought together judges, magistrates, registrars, and other members of the judiciary to deepen their understanding of environmental law and justice. The initiative reflects a growing recognition of the central role that the judiciary plays in interpreting and enforcing environmental legislation, ensuring access to justice, and holding perpetrators accountable for enviromental harm.
UNDP Governance Portfolio Manager, Ms. Nanise Saune-Qaloewai.
In her opening remarks, Ms. Nanise Saune-Qaloewai, UNDP Governance Portfolio Manager, highlighted the intersection of environmental degradation and human rights.
“Malawi stands at the frontline of the effects of climate change. This is not just an environmental crisis; it is a human rights emergency,” she said. “Through this training, we aim to strengthen the judiciary’s ability to respond effectively to these challenges, especially in protecting the rights and livelihoods of vulnerable communities.”
The Honourable Chief Justice Rizine R. Mzikamanda.
The Honourable Chief Justice Rizine R. Mzikamanda, SC, delivered the keynote address, underscoring the judiciary's vital role in environmental governance.
“Courts are increasingly being called on to adjudicate claims that seek to advance environmental protection. The issue of banning thin plastics and the engagement of our courts immediately comes to mind. Judges who keep abreast with emerging developments in environmental law are better equipped to adjudicate on disputes in the area,” he said.
The training covered a comprehensive range of topics designed to strengthen the judiciary's role in advancing environmental justice. It began with an examination of Malawi’s environmental legal framework, which explores the pressing challenges the country faces due to deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss.
Participants engaged in discussions on legal approaches to adjudicating environmental matters, spanning civil, criminal, and administrative law. Emphasis was also placed on enhancing public participation and ensuring equitable access to environmental justice for all citizens.
Judges had the opportunity to engage in peer learning through the examination of real-world case studies and shared judicial experiences. This collaborative exchange enriched the discourse and deepened collective understanding of best practices. Finally, the training addressed long-term strategies for institutionalising environmental justice within the judicial system, including the integration of environmental content into judicial training curricula and ongoing professional development mechanisms.
Sessions were facilitated by legal and environmental experts, including Hon. Justice Professor Redson Kapindu, Hon. Justice of Appeal Ivy Kamanga SC, and UNDP’s Senior Policy Advisor for Rule of Law, Security, and Human Rights, Victoria de Mello.
The initiative is part of a broader UNDP-led environmental justice programme supported by the Global Rule of Law Team.
The programme aims to enhance the capacity of the judiciary and the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) to uphold environmental rights and monitor violations through the development of the forthcoming Right to a Healthy Environment Monitoring Tool and Environmental Reporting Platform.