ODR: The Next Green Giant

Abstract

The worlds of government and business, as well as individual preferences, are moving towards incorporating environmentally-friendly practices. Dispute resolution, just as every other human endeavor, has environmental impact. Some modes of practice leave a large environmental footprint while others incur less environmental cost.

Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) enjoys clear environmental advantages over any other form of dispute resolution – yet this has not been discussed in the literature, or spotlighted in the commercial practices of the field. This paper describes the various environmental advantages ODR offers, and suggests a framework for taking these into account in dispute resolution ventures and projects.

Keywords: ODR, Environment, environmental, mediation, e-mediation, Ebner, Getz, green, conflict management, conflict resolution, online dispute resolution, distance mediation, Mediate BC