Lawyers’ Environmental Action Team (LEAT) is a non-governmental and not for profit-making environmental management and protection organization in Tanzania. LEAT specializes in research activities in natural resources management and governance particularly in land, mining, wildlife, water resources and forests. Moreover, it engages in advocating for legal amendments and policy reforms in environmental protection and natural resources management. LEAT further participates in raising awareness to local communities, and government agencies on the importance of adhering to good governance practices in environmental and natural resources management.
Interventions:
Public Interest Litigation
Since its formation, LEAT has distinguished itself as a leading public interest environmental law organization, especially in the areas of extractive industries, wildlife, and wider environmental management. Strategic litigation is one of the core mandates that LEAT was established to carry on.
Advocacy & Campaigns
LEAT engages in advocating for legal amendments and policy reforms in environmental protection and natural resources management. Similarly, since establishment LEAT has implemented projects that have raised the awareness of communities, their authorities on the importance of adhering to good governance in the management of the environment, and natural resources.
Policy and Research
Since its formation, LEAT has researched and published several papers, training manuals, and reports on natural resources management, human rights, and the environment. The organization has contributed to policy and legal reform processes, including the enactment of Environmental Management Act 2004, the Disaster Management Act 2014, the amendment of the Mining Act of 2010, the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act of 2017, and the Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Re-Negotiation) Act of 2017;
For the year 2019, through “Examining the legal and regulatory regimes of minerals, gas, and petroleum laws in Tanzania” project, LEAT worked to: (a) increase knowledge on the extractive industry legal and policy regimes in Tanzania and other East African nations by lawyers, journalists, relevant public institutions, CSOs and members of the public; (b) increase knowledge on the transfer pricing abuses mechanisms and how they are addressed or not addressed in Tanzania; (c) transparency in the collection, saving, investment and appropriation of oil and gas revenues; (d) reduce incidences of transfer pricing abuses; and (e) increase ability by Tanzanian lawyers to negotiate beneficial Mining Development Agreements (MDAs) and Production Sharing Agreements (PSAs).
Public Mobilization and Capacity Building
LEAT actively raises awareness of local communities, Local Government Authorities (LGAs), public and private institutions and members of the public on the importance of adhering to good governance practices in environmental and natural resources management. LEAT conducts in school and public sensitization meetings on climate change, natural resources management, and governance through theatre for development performances, media (radio, television and social media).