Environmental Law and Policy
Anchored by path-breaking programs—the Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Program (ENRLP), the Environmental Law Clinic, and the Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance—and complimented by a wide array of cutting-edge research and scholarship, timely policy work, and experiential learning for students, Stanford Law School’s work in the environmental arena dates back to the 60s when the environmental movement was born and continues to this day. Through the clinic and numerous Policy Lab practicums and courses, nationally-renowned faculty, and student organizations, our students are able to actively engage in the issues and advance law and policy. Stanford’s award-winning Environmental and Natural Resources Law & Policy Program (ENRLP) has earned its reputation as a leading program for education and research in this dynamic field. The Steyer-Taylor Center for Energy Policy and Finance explores and develops economically sensible policy and finance solutions that advance cleaner, more secure energy.
Programs, Centers, and Clinics
In the News
The Great Salt Lake is shrinking rapidly and Utah has failed to stop it, a new lawsuit says
Associated Press
Still, most state supreme courts have been silent or rejected the California court’s view, said Barton H. Thompson Jr., a professor of natural resources law at Stanford Law School. “If the Utah state supreme court were to use it to protect the water levels in the Great Salt Lake, that…
Read MoreHawaiian Electric Shares Soar After It Deflects Blame For Lahaina Fires
Held v. Montana Is a Historic Victory for Climate Action—but Also Human Rights
EPA to investigate California State Water Board for alleged civil rights violations
California Supreme Court rejects Monterey County ban on new oil, gas drilling
Events
Master of Laws (LLM) in Environmental Law and Policy
Rigorous interdisciplinary training in environmental, energy and resource law and policy. This specialized program seeks to provide foreign lawyers with the legal and policy analysis expertise needed to address issues of pollution, toxic substances, climate change, energy, freshwater, protection of living species on both land and in the oceans, land use management, and environmental assessment.
learn morePolicy Lab Practicums
The Bright Award
The Bright Award is given annually to an “individual who has made significant contributions in the environmental preservation and sustainability area” and is awarded to an individual from one of ten rotating regions.
learn morePublications
Lawyers for a Sustainable Economy
This initiative was incubated to help entrepreneurs and environmental non-profits working on sustainability projects to find firms that are offering pro bono help on these types of important matters
learn morePeople
ENRLP Newsletter
The Spring 2023 newsletter highlights the Climate and Energy Policy Program (CEPP), a partnership between Stanford Law School and Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. CEPP engages in research and policy analysis with government, environmental justice, and Tribal Nation partners. Current areas of focus include:
- Analyzing and addressing legal obstacles to equitable building decarbonization;
- Furthering understanding of wildfire and wildfire smoke risk, and developing mitigation and resilience approaches responsive to the unique concerns of vulnerable populations and considerate of the cultural perspectives and practices of Tribal Nations in California; and
- Policy approaches to ensure a clean and resilient grid and a just and fair energy transition in California.
Read more about CEPP and other news here.
read the newsletter