Environmental Law Institute

What Environmental Law Institute does

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit research and education organization founded in 1969 that focuses on environmental law, policy, and management. Its mission is to make law work for people, places, and the planet. ELI serves four primary constituencies: the judiciary (federal, state, local, and international judges), environmental law professionals (lawyers, policymakers, academics, and NGO staff), international judicial systems in developing countries, and wetlands conservationists. Flagship programs include the Climate Judiciary Project, which delivers a 13-module Climate Science and Law for Judges Curriculum, and the Judicial Education Program, through which ELI has trained more than 3,000 judges across 28 countries since 1990.

ELI is a content and education organization rather than a commercial technology developer; it explicitly does not build proprietary software or maintain a public/partner API. Its core assets are its publications and curricula: the Environmental Law Reporter (ELR), described as the most-often cited environmental law journal with over 50 years of analysis; the Environmental Forum (a digital bi-weekly, published for over 40 years); the Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review (ELPAR, produced with Vanderbilt University Law School); research reports; ELI Press books (including the PFAS Deskbook); and training programs such as ELI Boot Camps and ELI Summer School. Distribution is direct, through eli.org, in-person and virtual events, and membership.

ELI's business model combines multiple revenue streams: membership dues (tiered annual subscriptions), event and training fees (Boot Camps, Summer School, and PFAS Briefings priced at $25 per session for non-members), publication sales (ELR subscriptions, ELI Press books, and reports), and donations and grants. Grant and philanthropic support is substantial, including federal agency funding from the EPA, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, NRCS, and Federal Highway Administration, plus the Swedish Postcode Foundation. The organization holds a 4-star Charity Navigator rating and employs an estimated 101–250 staff.

Name

Environmental Law Institute

Legal name

Environmental Law Institute

Website

https://eli.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Environmental Law Institute is a Washington, D.C. nonprofit providing environmental law research, publications, and judicial education. It serves judges, environmental lawyers, policymakers, academics, and international judicial systems through curricula, journals, training programs, and membership.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Law Research and Education

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Professional Organizations (81392), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) & Regulatory Reference (OSHA, EPA, Risk) (EDAGAGAJ), Environmental Compliance (Spill Prevention, Waste, Air/Water) (EDABAEAK)

Keywords

• Environmental law research
• Judicial education programs
• Legal policy analysis
• Professional training services
• Scholarly publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: ELI operates a membership model offering annual memberships with benefits including access to publications, PFAS briefings, and the members-only portal.
2. Event and Training Fees: Revenue from ELI Boot Camps (Eastern and Western), ELI Summer School, and paid PFAS Briefing attendance for non-members ($25 per session).
3. Publication Sales: Sale of research reports, ELI Press books, subscriptions to the Environmental Law Reporter (ELR), and guidance and policy documents.
4. Donations and Grants: ELI receives donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, as well as federal grants from agencies including EPA, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, NRCS, and Federal Highway Administration. The organization also receives support from the Swedish Postcode Foundation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

ELI is a nonprofit research and education organization that produces authoritative publications (most notably ELR - the most-often cited environmental law journal with 50+ years of analysis, and the Environmental Forum), delivers CLE-accredited training programs (Eastern and Western Boot Camps, Summer School), runs the Climate Judiciary Project providing judges with a 13-module climate science curriculum, publishes research reports and ELI Press books including the PFAS Deskbook, and administers the National Wetlands Awards plus fellowship programs for international environmental lawyers.

Product overview

The Environmental Law Institute (ELI) offers a comprehensive suite of educational resources, publications, training programs, and professional development opportunities focused on environmental law and policy. The core product portfolio includes the Environmental Law Reporter (ELR)—the most-cited environmental law journal with 50+ years of content—the Environmental Forum (bi-weekly digital publication), and the Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review (in partnership with Vanderbilt Law School). ELI provides research reports, guidance documents, and press books including the PFAS Deskbook and Adapting to High-Level Warming. Training offerings include ELI Boot Camps (Eastern and Western formats), ELI Summer School sessions, and the Climate Science and Law for Judges Curriculum (13-module program under the Climate Judiciary Project). Professional programs feature the National Wetlands Awards, ELI Award Dinner, and PFAS Briefing webinar series. International engagement includes the International Visiting Scholars Program, Jim Rubin International Fellowship, and Futrell Visiting Scholars. Members access the ELI Membership Directory and Pro Bono Clearinghouse. Events span annual conferences like the TSCA Reform Conference and monthly Climate Change Briefings.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Climate Judiciary Project (CJP): A project providing judges with authoritative, objective education on climate science, climate impacts, and how climate science arises in law. Features a 13-module Climate Science and Law for Judges Curriculum.
• National Wetlands Awards
• ELI Summer School
• ELI Boot Camps
• ELI Award Dinner
• ELR - Environmental Law Reporter
• Environmental Forum
• Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review (ELPAR)
• Jim Rubin International Fellowship Program
• J. William Futrell Fund for International Visiting Scholars

Products and services

• ELR - Environmental Law Reporter The most-often cited environmental law journal, containing over 50 years of analysis by leading practitioners and academics in the field. Sold via subscription and serves as ELI's flagship scholarly publication.
• Environmental Forum A bi-weekly digital publication providing thoughtful debate, diverse viewpoints, and constructive engagement on environmental law and policy, delivered to subscribers' inboxes. Originally printed bimonthly, now in a fully digital bi-weekly format.
• Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review (ELPAR) A student-edited special issue of ELR identifying the year's best legal and policy solutions to pressing environmental problems, produced in collaboration with Vanderbilt University Law School.
• ELI Boot Camps on Environmental Law Intensive multi-day CLE-accredited training programs in environmental law delivered in Eastern and Western formats (Eastern Boot Camp on Environmental Law, Western Boot Camp on Environmental Law) for practicing lawyers and legal professionals.
• ELI Summer School Seasonal educational program offering multiple sessions per summer covering environmental law topics including the Clean Air Act and Climate Change Law, Energy Law and the Energy Transition, Toxic Chemical Regulation, and Environmental Justice.
• Climate Science and Law for Judges Curriculum 13-module educational curriculum providing judges with authoritative, objective education on climate science, climate change impacts, and how climate science arises in the law. Delivered through the Climate Judiciary Project.
• PFAS Briefing Series Recurring webinar series featuring PFAS Deskbook authors and national experts who provide updates on PFAS legal and policy developments. Sessions are free for ELI members and $25 per session for non-members.
• National Wetlands Awards Annual awards program administered by ELI honoring individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to wetlands protection, restoration, and education across categories including Local/Landowner Stewardship, Promoting Wetland Education/Awareness, and Wetland Leadership in Public/Private Sector. Supported by EPA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, NRCS, and Federal Highway Administration.
• International Visiting Scholars Program Fellowship program hosting promising young environmental lawyers, economists, and scientists from other countries for one to three months to collaborate with ELI staff on environmental challenges, supported by the J. William Futrell Fund.
• Jim Rubin International Fellowship Program Fellowship program empowering rising environmental lawyers from developing countries to tackle complex environmental problems, with mentorship, networking opportunities, and a stipend of up to $7,500. Launched in 2019.
• ELI Research Reports Published research reports providing analysis on environmental law and policy topics including climate science in courts, deforestation, PFAS, plastic pollution, and toxics litigation. Sold via the ELI website.
• ELI Press Books Books published by ELI on environmental law topics, including the PFAS Deskbook and Adapting to High-Level Warming: Law, Governance, and Equity. Sold via the ELI website.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained over 3,000 judges across 28 countries since 1990
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. co-hosts the annual TSCA Reform Conference with ELI and George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health. The conference, entering its tenth year in 2026, brings together 36 presenters and moderators to discuss the Toxic Substances Control Act's evolution.
• George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2026GW Milken Institute School of Public Health co-hosts the annual TSCA Reform Conference with ELI and Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. The conference addresses TSCA implementation and reform over the ten years since the 2016 Lautenberg Act amendments.
• Federation of American Scientists - Center for Regulatory IngenuitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026ELI is a network hub partner in the Center for Regulatory Ingenuity, collaborating with FAS, Climate Group North America, and ICLEI USA to develop creative regulatory approaches for deploying clean technologies in energy, housing, and transportation sectors.
• Climate Group North AmericaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026Climate Group North America is a network partner in the Center for Regulatory Ingenuity initiative focused on translating regulatory big ideas into near-term policy playbooks for state and local leaders.
• ICLEI USAminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 March 2026ICLEI USA is a network partner in the Center for Regulatory Ingenuity initiative focused on translating regulatory big ideas into near-term policy playbooks for state and local leaders.
• Federal Judicial CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Federal Judicial Center collaborates with ELI's Climate Judiciary Project to provide climate seminars for federal judges. The partnership aims to educate judges on climate science and litigation, though it has drawn scrutiny from GAO regarding potential outside influence.
• Global Green Growth InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELI and Global Green Growth Institute are carrying out a three-year project (with Swedish Postcode Foundation support) to strengthen Colombia's judicial system's capacity to rule on cases involving illegal deforestation in Caquetá, Guaviare, Meta, and Putumayo regions.
• FundepublicocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELI partnered with Fundepublico and Universidad de los Hemisferios to improve watershed health and biodiversity in Colombia and Ecuador's Magdalena-Cauca and Napo watersheds by strengthening the judiciary's capacity on environmental cases.
• Universidad de los Hemisferios (Ecuador)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELI partnered with Universidad de los Hemisferios and Fundepublico to improve watershed health and biodiversity in Colombia and Ecuador by strengthening the judiciary's capacity to make informed decisions on environmental cases.
• Indonesian Center for Environmental LawcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerELI and the Indonesian Center for Environmental Law conducted a project to help Indonesian judges understand and address liability for environmental damages, including a five-day workshop on economic valuation, restoration, and compensation of environmental damages.
• Vanderbilt University Law SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVanderbilt University Law School collaborates with ELI on the Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review (ELPAR), a student-edited volume published as a special issue of the ELR.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Resources for the Future: RFF is an independent, nonprofit research institution focused on environmental, energy, and natural resource policy. It is a direct peer in the environmental economics and policy research space, with similar publication, event, and academic-credibility models and a comparable federal-grant and foundation funding base.
• ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources: SEER is the American Bar Association's membership section for environmental, energy, and resources law professionals. It is a direct peer in providing CLE, publications, and professional development to environmental lawyers, with overlapping membership and conference offerings.
• Earthjustice: Earthjustice is a nonprofit environmental law organization that litigates and advocates on environmental issues. It is a direct peer in the environmental legal-advocacy space, with overlapping audiences of environmental lawyers, policymakers, and grant funders, though it focuses more on courtroom advocacy while ELI focuses on research, education, and judicial training.
• Sabin Center for Climate Change Law: The Sabin Center at Columbia Law School produces legal scholarship, reports, and resources on climate change law and litigation. It is a direct peer in environmental law research and publishing, with overlapping audiences of judges, practitioners, and academics, though anchored in a university rather than an independent nonprofit.
• World Resources Institute: WRI is a global research organization that produces data-driven analysis on environmental and development issues. It is directly comparable to ELI as a nonprofit environmental policy research and education organization publishing authoritative reports, with overlapping funder and policy audiences.
• Center for International Environmental Law: CIEL is a nonprofit environmental law organization working at the intersection of human rights and the environment globally. It is a direct peer to ELI in international environmental legal research, policy advocacy, and capacity building, with overlapping funder networks and a similar focus on multilateral environmental governance.
• IUCN Academy of Environmental Law: The IUCN Academy is a global network of environmental law faculties and research institutions focused on capacity building and research. It is a direct peer to ELI's international judicial training and visiting-scholar programs, with overlapping audiences of environmental law scholars and developing-country capacity-building projects.

Broad incumbents

• Environmental Defense Fund: EDF is one of the largest U.S. environmental advocacy organizations, working across science, economics, and law. It is a broad incumbent in the environmental nonprofit space, with overlapping funder networks and policy audiences, though its mission is broader (science-based advocacy) compared with ELI's narrower focus on law and judicial education.
• Brookings Institution: Brookings is a major nonprofit public policy research organization producing reports, events, and educational programming across many policy domains including energy and environment. It is a broad incumbent in the policy research and convening space, with comparable publication, event, and fellowship models, though it covers a much broader agenda than ELI's environmental-law focus.

Emerging players

• Vermont Law School Environmental Law Program: Vermont Law School is a leading U.S. institution for environmental law education, offering JD and LLM programs and publishing the Vermont Journal of Environmental Law. It is comparable to ELI as a producer of environmental law research and CLE-eligible training, though anchored in a degree-granting academic model rather than an independent nonprofit.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@EnvironmentalLawInstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/environmental-law-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/environmentallawinstitute
• Xx.com/ELIORG

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Environmental Law Institute