“Law can work for people places and the planet.” That’s not just a motto. It is the driving force behind the Environmental Law Institute. Founded in 1969 the Environmental Law Institute is a non-profit and non-partisan organization.
The Environmental Law Institute is headquartered right here in Washington D.C. The Environmental Law Institute seeks to make a real difference in environmental law. It acts as an educator a convener a publisher and a research engine. Its primary audience includes legal practitioners business leaders land managers land use planners environmentalists journalists and lawmakers. The Environmental Law Institute truly aims to reach everyone.
But what does the Environmental Law Institute actually do? It convenes conferences to promote the exchange of ideas. It also holds seminars to educate legal practitioners and business leaders. Furthermore the Environmental Law Institute publishes original research. This research appears both as monographs and in its periodicals. These include the Environmental Law Reporter and The Environmental Forum.
A core part of the Environmental Law Institute is its researchers. Many are attorneys specializing in different aspects of environmental law. Other researchers include scientists policy analysts and visiting scholars from outside the United States. The Environmental Law Institute also has the ELI Associates Program. It offers networking and education for current and future leaders in environmental law and policy. Members gain access to basic training through ELI’s boot camps. They also receive analysis of issues in ELI’s policy and law journals and on its website. Seminars with experts cover pressing topics from diverse perspectives. Members also have opportunities to connect with public officials colleagues and peers at events. One such event is the annual ELI Award Dinner. The program offers members valuable benefits and contacts.
The Environmental Law Institute associates pay an annual subscription fee. Unlike other member-based organizations the Environmental Law Institute does not represent its associates. Nor does it try to promote their activities. Instead associates receive ELI’s major publications at free or discounted prices. Their employees can attend ELI’s educational seminars free of charge.
A board of directors provides oversight to the Environmental Law Institute. The board members are leaders from federal and state government industry the private bar citizen organizations and academia. Most of ELI’s funding comes from project-specific grants. These grants come from major organizations foundations and government agencies.
ELI’s research is organized into six major areas. These include climate and energy international programs environmental governance environmental health land and biodiversity and freshwater and ocean resources. Under each area are various research programs. For example under Water Resources are programs addressing oceans wetlands international waters and water quality. Within the Oceans Program are publications on sustainable fisheries. There are also conferences to develop laws that foster ecosystem-based management. The Environmental Law Institute also offers continuing legal education seminars. These seminars cover issues from ocean-based shipping to wave-generated electricity. Each of the six major program areas is diverse. Most research focuses on single issues. The Environmental Law Institute typically publishes its research results in research reports.
ELI also produces several periodicals. The Environmental Law Reporter’s News & Analysis is the Institute’s flagship publication. It first appeared in January 1971 shortly after the founding of the Environmental Law Institute. The Environmental Forum is ELI’s non-technical publication founded in 1982. The Journal of Energy and Environmental Law is a student-run journal. It is published by The George Washington University Law School in cooperation with the Environmental Law Institute.
The Environmental Law Institute also publishes books by outside authors. Some popular publications include The Practical Guide to Environmental Management and The Environmental Law Deskbook. These publications along with ELI’s research and educational programs show its commitment. The Environmental Law Institute truly makes law work for people places and the planet.