The International Network for Environmental Compliance and Enforcement (INECE) is a network of government and non-government enforcement and compliance practitioners from more than 150 countries. INECE's goals are: raising awareness to compliance and enforcement; developing networks for enforcement cooperation; and strengthening capacity to implement and enforce environmental requirements.

INECE is dedicated using regulatory and non-regulatory approaches to guide compliance with and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations that promote the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of ecosystem integrity at the global, regional, and national levels.

The Network is comprised of more than 4,000 members from international organizations, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations. The Dutch and US environmental agencies, who founded INECE in 1989, remain key funders, with additional support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Bank Institute, Environment Canada and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Commission, and other governments and organizations.

INECE activities are geared toward government officials and NGO partners active in environmental compliance and enforcement, and international organizations. All environmental professionals are invited to make use of the materials and resources provided on this Web site and to contribute to the networking and exchanges.

Please follow these links for more information on INECE's organizational structure, commentary from INECE Director Durwood Zaelke, and for information on the INECE Web site. Please contact the INECE Secretariat at inece@inece.org for further information or subscribe to INECE's mailing list.

INECE Mission
The INECE mission, as defined in its Strategic Implementation Plan (2009-2012), is to contribute to a healthy and clean environment, sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of ecosystem integrity through effective compliance and enforcement of environmental laws using regulatory and non-regulatory approaches.

INECE Goals

The INECE goals are:

• Develop networks for enforcement and compliance cooperation.
• Strengthen capacity throughout the regulatory cycle to implement and secure compliance with environmental requirements.
• Raise awareness of the importance of environmental compliance and enforcement.

INECE History

INECE has evolved dramatically since its beginnings in 1989 as a bilateral exchange between the US EPA and the Dutch Environment Ministry (VROM). The Network has since expanded into a broad partnership of government officials around the globe, NGOs, and international organizations (in particular the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), The World Bank and the European Commission). OECD and Environment Canada provide additional support. Activities are coordinated by an Executive Planning Committee with worldwide representation and support. The EPC created a formal Secretariat, with Durwood Zaelke as its Director, in May 2001.

Articles on the history of INECE:

• Gerardu and Zaelke, The Importance of International Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Networks: INECE as an Example (ELNI, 2/2005).
• Making Law Work: Environmental Compiance & Sustainable Development, Chapter 12: Transgovernmental Networks (Cameron May, 2005).
• Slaughter, A New World Order (Princeton University Press, 2004).
• Kaniaru, The Role of Institutions and Networks in Environmental Enforcement (INECE, 2002).