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Mobilising political, legal and governance systems

How we regulate society, finance and economics, domestically and transnationally, is central to achieving sustainability objectives

Theme leads: Professor Veerle Hayvaert and Dr Joana Setzer

Regulation must nudge, incentivise, and require private and public actors to move towards these goals whilst not fostering public and political backlash which undermines the advancement of these goals. This is a hugely difficulty endeavour, requiring broad awareness of different cross-jurisdictional regulatory modes, strategies, and trade-offs.

Activities within the mobilising political, legal and governance systems theme

The Sustainability Regulation Observatory (SRO)

The Sustainability Regulation Observatory, a joint venture between the LSE Law School and the Grantham Research Institute, is dedicated to advancing understanding of the regulatory foundations of sustainable societies. The Observatory will critically assess the effectiveness and unintended consequences of sustainability regulation worldwide, develop a cross-LSE database of expertise, publish accessible reports and academic research, and convene policymakers, business, civil society, and regulators to translate findings into impact. Students will play a central role through research assistantships and applied projects.

The Sustainability Law Clinic

The Sustainability Law Clinic will provide pro-bono legal advice and support on sustainability issues, including amicus briefs and OECD complaints. Closely connected to the Sustainability Regulation Observatory’s work, the Clinic will serve individuals, community groups, and SMEs, while also advancing research and policy engagement.

Priority areas

Both initiatives will focus on three priority areas:

  1. Protection of nature and biodiversity – aligned with the Protecting and Enhancing Nature and Biodiversity theme.
  2. Sustainable finance and business – aligned with the Creating Sustainable Finance and Business theme.
  3. Energy and climate change – building on GRI’s Climate Change Laws of the World and governance research.

Together, these initiatives will create an integrated hub for research, teaching, and real-world impact at the intersection of law, governance, and sustainability.

Through these activities - and more - this theme contributes to the overarching mission and aspirations of GSoS.

Veerle Heyvaert is Professor of Law and Associate Dean of LSE Law School. Joana Setzer is Associate Professorial Research Fellow at the Grantham Research Institute at LSE.

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