Charles E. Di Leva Email & Phone Number

Washington, District Of Columbia, United States

Sustainability Frameworks helps its public and private sector clients develop strategies to manage their environmental and social risks and opportunities, optimize their sustainability governance systems, and address externalities associated with their operations. We have decades of experience supporting multilateral banks, private sector clients, governments and commercial financial institutions on a broad range of sustainability issues across various industrial, manufacturing and service sectors.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Designed and taught course at School of International Service on 'Environmental Justice", at the Washington College of Law on "Development Finance and International Law" and a seminar course on "Project Finance and the Environment". Supervising research on "Green Finance", and on "Accountability Mechanisms for Multilateral Development Banks". Co-authored forthcoming paper to be published in the Washington College of Law Journal of Sustainable Development Law and Policy on "The Paris Agreement and the International Trade Regime: Considerations for Harmonization."

Washington D.C. Metro Area

The chief officer is responsible to lead, advise and represent the World Bank on the environment and social (ES) framework and safeguards policy matters both internally and externally; oversee the implementation of the environment and social framework; promote partnership and collaboration internally, with borrowers and with external partners on the application of the Bank’s environment and social policies; to play a leadership role in the Heads of ES of Multilateral Development Banks Group; and oversee the Grievance Redress System and the engagement between Bank management and the Inspection Panel.

Law School, Washington D.C.

Designed and taught courses on International Climate Change Law; International Trade and Sustainable Development; and International Environmental Law.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Working under the President of ELI, role is to help provide advice, suggesting educational program and publications topics, consulting on or leading in research efforts, particularly in the context of sustainability initiatives in the finance sector. Also, offering mentoring and advice for career staff.

Washington, D.C.

Retired in December after serving as the World Bank's chief legal advisor on operational and policy matters related to sustainable development, climate change, and its related roles and responsibilities under international law and human rights. Led the legal work throughout the Bank's largest global consultation to revise its environmental and social safeguards system, leading to the Board of Executive Directors' approval of "The Environmental and Social Framework for Investment Project Finance" (August 4, 2016). Served as the Bank's chief or deputy legal advisor since the inception of the 1992 UN Framework Climate Treaty, and including as chief legal advisor for the Bank delegation at every key meeting of the Conference of the Parties, including for the 2015 Paris Agreement. Led the Bank's legal negotiations on the Green Climate Fund, and in many climate and carbon investment funds, particularly on issues related to environmental and social compliance and in relations with civil society. Helped launch the Bank's effort to address wildlife and environmental crime, including drafting and supporting the declaration of the International Consortium to Combat Wildlife Crime and a range of law enforcement initiatives such as those to collaborate with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, the European Union, INTERPOL, and other law enforcement agencies. Managed a dedicated international staff of legal experts providing institution-wide advice on environmental and social complex operational risk management, including matters related to large-scale infrastructure, corporate accountability and compliance investigations. Authored numerous Bank publications issues and served as frequent speaker on issues related to sustainable development. Appointed Director of IUCN Environmental Law Program through Staff Exchange Program, 1999-2001. (See below).

Bonn, Germany

Director of IUCN Global Environmental Law Program and Head of the IUCN Environmental Law Center based on Bonn, Germany, a premier center for international environmental law. Managed relations with German host agencies, and international staff of fifteen, while also serving as general counsel to the IUCN Director General of IUCN in Gland, Switzerland. Authored studies on environmental impact assessment, drafted new forest law for the government of Cambodia while based in Phnom Penh, and authored analysis of the "urgent national interest" provision for Ramsar Convention.

Washington, D.C.

Trial attorney litigating natural resource damage claims and superfund actions, including litigation involving natural resource damage claim against City of Seattle for damage to Elliott Bay, Washington, and for extension of CERCLA to pesticide wastes in the Aceto litigation. Coordinated transboundary environmental matters for the Section, including first ever litigation against Canadian defendant for hazardous waste disposal in the US. (US v Ivey). Developed Section Handbook for foreign litigation on service of process under the Hague Convention. Received Section honors award.

Nairobi, Kenya

Coordinated matters related to Basel Convention on Transboundary Hazardous Wastes, drafted and negotiated East Asia and South Asia Regional Seas Conventions.

Washington, D.C.

Superfund litigation, corporate counseling on litigation and administrative matters under clear water and clean air acts, pesticide and toxic substances acts.

Washington, D.C.

Represented US EPA and Army Corps of Engineers in trial and appellate litigation. Successfully defended US EPA Construction Grants Program in US District Court in Florida, US EPA Clean Water Act litigation concerning placer mining operations in Alaska, US Corp of Engineers permit denial in Florida Keys, and in US EPA pesticide registration decisions in Missouri.

Providence, Rhode Island

Lead attorney filing and managing the litigation for the state's two largest federal court superfund claims. Successfully pursued injunctive relief against deceptive trade practices in R.I. Superior Court.

Providence, Rhode Island

Developed waste, air and water regulatory programs. Represented state in federal and state trial and appellate courts on extensive range of environmental matters. Served as adjudicative hearing officer for state hazardous and solid waste facility and wetland development permit applications. Lead attorney for State's Coastal Resources Management Council representing state in coastal development applications.

J.D., Law

Research assistant on mining and real estate law issues. Volunteer moot court competition. Student work program for tuition support..

B.A., History

Graduated with honors in American History, minor in English.