Institute for Environmental Enforcement
The Institute for Environmental Enforcement (IEE) at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law is a center for research, professional training, and legal education focused on enhancing our understanding of the role of environmental enforcement in obtaining compliance with environmental laws and rules. Working with government agencies, practitioners, and scholars, IEE seeks to advance our understanding of the root causes of environmental compliance failures. As part of this effort, it supports environmental law enforcement, prepares students for careers in both the public and private sectors, engages in interdisciplinary work and research, and seeks to identify ways to enhance environmental compliance and help create consistency and effectiveness in the use of limited enforcement resources.
Educating The Next Generation of Environmental Enforcement Lawyers
The next generation of environmental lawyers, whether they are working as enforcers, private counsel, in-house counsel or with local, state, or federal legislatures, need to better understand the root causes of non-compliance.
It is also understood that environmental enforcement serves a crucial role in the protection of natural resources and human health, but what makes an environmental violation a crime? Should the scope of criminal enforcement be expanded or narrowed? Who plays a larger role in environmental compliance — government enforcers or internal compliance officers?
Helping Build The Future of Environmental Enforcement in New York
IEE will develop and deliver specialized training programs for New York State investigators, prosecutors, and other government personnel on the identification, investigation, and prosecution of environmental crimes. Working with New York State agencies, the Institute will provide practical training designed to fill gaps in criminal enforcement and to create a level playing field for compliant business and individuals operating in New York.
An Interdisciplinary Approach to Identifying Environmental Violators
For too long, environmental enforcement, including criminal enforcement, has been a passive effort. Enforcement cases often remain with the first office to learn about a case (administrative, civil, or criminal) rather than being evaluated as to which form of enforcement is most appropriate, if any. Working with our colleagues at the Seidenberg School of Computer Science, IEE students and faculty will seek to develop more sophisticated data and data analysis with the goal of helping regulators and enforcers to increase the speed and efficiency by which the government identifies environmental violators in New York, supporting the appropriate and efficient allocation of limited government enforcement resources, and assessing the impacts of enforcement on the levels of compliance.
Explore IEE
Learn more about the Institute for Environmental Enforcement, explore our program and initiatives, or connect with us to learn how you can get involved.