Milestones in our history
Heading
1986
The Peruvian Society of Environmental Law (SPDA) is founded
1990
We accompanied the process for the drafting and approval of the Environmental and Natural Resources Code (CMARN), which began in 1984 with the formation of its Drafting Commission.
1992 - 1994
We promoted the creation of PROFONANPE: the first National Fund created for environmental purposes, in this case for Peru's natural protected areas.
1993 - 1995
We provided guidance on the development of the first Master Plan for the National System of Protected Natural Areas.
2000
In alliance with AIDA, we promoted the adoption of remedial measures in favor of the people of La Oroya, due to the levels of contamination to which they were exposed as a result of the environmental deficiencies of the metallurgical complex.
2001
We helped establish Peru’s first private conservation area: Chaparrí. Its more than 34 hectares are home to a variety of species, including the spectacled bear and the white-winged guan.
2001
We established the Environmental Law Workshop, which since 2001 has trained more than 600 students from different regions of the country.
2002 - 2004
We established the National Commission Against Biopiracy (Law No. 28216), which resulted from our collaboration with INDECOPI on the Maca Working Group to investigate biopiracy related to this resource (2002–2004).
2008
We helped establish the Ministry of the Environment (Minam) and the National Service for State-Protected Natural Areas (Sernanp).
2009
We launched Actualidad Ambiental. This environmental news website is one of the most visited portals for environmental news and information.
2011
We participated in the process of drafting and enacting the Forestry and Wildlife Act (Law No. 29763), which was sponsored by the Congressional Agriculture Committee.
2012
We are launching “Conservamos por Naturaleza,” an initiative aimed at raising awareness of and enhancing the opportunities and impact of volunteer conservation in Peru.
2012 - 2014
SPDA supported the process of creation and implementation of the National Environmental Certification Service for Sustainable Investments.
2013
Let’s support the drafting and adoption of the regulations for the “Breakwater Act,” which has enabled its implementation and the protection of 47 waves to date.
2014
We provided legal advice to the Ministry of the Environment for the design of the Law on Mechanisms for Remuneration for Ecosystem Services.
2015
We actively participated in and contributed to the effort to establish the Sierra del Divisor National Park (Loreto and Ucayali).
2018
We advocated for the passage of the law regulating single-use plastics and disposable containers (Law 30884).
2018
We led, supported, and promoted the process of signing the Escazú Agreement in Peru. To date, we continue to advocate for its ratification in Congress.
2020
We have created the Specialization Course in Fisheries Law, which trains professionals to address the key challenges and policies underpinning fisheries and marine ecosystem management in Peru.
2020
We created the “Indigenous Communicators Program” and have helped its graduates participate in international forums.
2021
We provided technical assistance for the development of the Law on the Management and Protection of Public Spaces (Law 31199), a pioneering law in the field of urban management.
2021
We are leading a participatory process to promote the Law on the Prevention and Control of Light Pollution (Law 31316). It is the first law of its kind in Peru.
2021
We led the adoption, at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, of the motions titled “Strengthened Institutional Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples” and “Protection of the Andes-Amazon Rivers of Peru: the Marañón, Ucayali, Huallaga, and Amazonas, from Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects.”
2021
We are launching “Acceleradores por Naturaleza,” a program that empowers young change-makers by training them in conservation and connecting them to a network of young people who are creating innovative solutions to environmental challenges across Latin America. To date, more than 100 young people from 10 countries have participated in the program.
2022
We implemented a comprehensive response strategy to the environmental emergency caused by the Repsol spill in Ventanilla, which included the creation of the website “History of a Spill,” investigative reports, and strategic litigation efforts.
2023
We helped establish Peru’s first legal framework for park rangers, which strengthens the management and protection of protected areas administered by SERNANP.
2023
We contributed to the update of the law that recognizes traditional ancestral fishing and traditional artisanal fishing and promotes their preservation within Peru’s five-mile territorial waters (Law 31749), a regulation that had been in effect for 30 years.
2023
We advocated for the development and passage of the Environmental Emergency Declaration Act (Law 32106).
2023
Launch of “Champions of Escazú,” an initiative that brings together leading youth representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean to support the promotion and ratification of the Escazú Agreement in their countries.
