New Index to Strengthen Environmental Governance in Asia-Pacific Unveiled

On 28 April 2025, the World Justice Project (WJP), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS), launched its new initiative—the Environmental Rule of Law Index (EROLI)—in Manila. This landmark initiative seeks to strengthen the measurement and enforcement of environmental protection laws across the Asia-Pacific region. Drawing on insights from Latin America, the project aims to adapt the WJP Index to reflect the region’s unique environmental governance challenges. The launch brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, legal professionals, academics, and civil society representatives from the Philippines, Thailand, India, Singapore, and Indonesia. Key institutions represented included the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL) at the National University of Singapore, the World Resources Institute (WRI), the British Council, the International Development Law Organization (IDLO), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

Dr. Linda Yanti Sulistiawati, representing APCEL, presented her latest book, Environmental Courts and Tribunals in Asia-Pacific (2025), offering valuable insights into the state of environmental legal protection in the region. A key theme of the discussion was the vital role of citizen engagement in monitoring progress and shaping the future of environmental governance.

The EROLI is envisioned as a powerful policy tool to assess environmental rule of law performance, support governments in translating commitments into meaningful actions, and foster the networks needed to drive real change. As the methodology is refined for the Asia-Pacific context, real-world case studies will be essential for identifying enforcement gaps and opportunities for improvement. By elevating local voices, the EROLI aims to make environmental governance more inclusive, practical, and impactful.