Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide

The Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide (ELAW) is a global alliance of attorneys, scientists, and advocates founded in 1991. Headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, it works with partners in more than 80 countries, up from ten at its founding. ELAW supports public interest lawyers advancing environmental protection and environmental justice; it does not litigate directly.

Its work spans several technical domains: environmental law, environmental science, litigation support, advocacy support and organisational capacity building. Services provided to partners include legal expertise for litigation and advocacy activities, scientific support to strengthen environmental cases, security assistance for advocates working on environmental defence, and organisational support to help partner lawyers and groups build their capacity.

ELAW describes itself as an international NGO grounded in the rule of law, sound science and principles of environmental justice. Its stated mission centres on clean air, clean water and a healthy planet, and the alliance operates on values of solidarity, mutual assistance and inspiration among its members across borders. It envisages a world in which ecosystems and communities are respected and protected.

The organisation works within the environmental law, environmental justice and public interest advocacy sectors, alongside environmental conservation and ecosystem protection. More information is available at https://elaw.org/.