Updated 11 January 2026
LVF has curated a non-exhaustive list of local and international organisations that work on environmental law in the UK, who may accept volunteers or recruit for careers from time to time. Most of the organisations also offer insightful resources, events and conferences, which may help the LVF community keep up with the rapidly-developing nature of environmental law!
LVF is not endorsing or promoting these organisations, but this list is meant to help the LVF community consider how they might be able to turn their interest in environmental law into action, by involving themselves with one or more of these organisations’ work.
The table is split into:
- NGOs
- Research organisations
- Government organisations
- Law firms
- Chambers
If you would like to suggest an organisation to add to this list, please help us by filling in this form.
| Name of organisation | Brief description |
NGOs | |
| Advocates for Animals | Advocates for Animals is a law firm dedicated to animal protection law and improving the lives of animals in the UK and internationally. |
| ClientEarth | ClientEarth uses the power of law to bring about systemic change that protects the earth for – and with – its inhabitants. They block coal power plants; clean up air pollution; protect vulnerable wildlife, among other environmental causes. |
| Commonwealth Climate and Law Initiative(CCLI) | CCLI examines the legal basis for directors and trustees to consider, manage, and report on climate change and broader environmental risks, opportunities and impacts, and the circumstances in which there may be liability for failing to do so. CCLI also works to advance knowledge on effective sustainable governance practice. |
| Environmental Law Foundation(ELF) | ELF is a cross-disciplinary network of professional members (environmental lawyers; science professionals; local environmental community groups) who each year provide a significant amount of pro bono advice and assistance to socially and economically disadvantaged communities across the UK who contact ELF seeking environmental justice. They help local people protect wildlife habitats; public green spaces; and improve public participation in environmental decision-making. |
| Friends of the Earth | Friends of the Earth works with groups to protect local areas and make them more climate friendly; takes the government to court over projects that harm our environment; and fights for environmental and social justice globally. |
| Green Alliance | Green Alliance is an independent think tank and charity focused on ambitious leadership for the environment. Since 1979, it has been working with leaders in business, NGOs and politics to accelerate political action and create transformative policy for a green, equitable and prosperous UK. It has recently been granted permission to intervene in its first legal case in its 4-decade history. |
| Greenpeace | Greenpeace is a movement of people who are passionate about defending the natural world from destruction, by investigating, documenting and exposing the causes of environmental destruction.They bring about change by lobbying, consumer pressure and mobilising members of the general public. |
| Opportunity Green (OG) | OG uses legal, economic and policy knowledge to tackle climate change, focusing on but not limited to the sectors of shipping, aviation, buildings, fisheries and energy. OG also has a call for experts already in the climate sector that have identified a gap that needs addressing to help secure a climate-stable future. |
| River Action | River Action aims to empower local communities, mobilise public opinion and advocate government policy and industry practice change, to protect Britain’s rivers against pollution. |
| The Chancery Lane Project(TCLP) | TCLP works with organisations, governments and legal professionals to reduce climate change impact by publishing open-source content such as contractual clauses, building networks of practitioners and advising them on how to use legal documents and processes to reduce emissions. |
| UK Environmental Law Association (UKELA) | UKELA aims to make better law for the environment and to improve understanding and awareness of environmental law. They do this through promoting the enhancement and conservation of the environment in the UK and educating the public in the development, teaching, application and practice of law relating to the environment. They are a membership organisation with regular events and working groups for practitioners and students. |
| World Wildlife Fund (WWF) | WWF uses the law to reverse biodiversity loss and restore nature. |
| Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) | This is a UK charity supporting birds and other wildlife. |
| The Lifescape Project | A Europe-based NGO on a mission to catalyse the creation, restoration and protection of wild landscapes by pursuing projects which address their five core themes: science, technology, law, economics, and culture. |
| Climate Ed | A charity offering free education to children about climate science, carbon literacy and climate action |
| The Woodland Trust | Fighting to protect woods and trees, preventing the loss of irreplaceable habitat, nature and carbon stores for a healthier future for everyone |
| Wildlife Trusts | Grassroots movement protecting nature |
| Trees for Cities | Working to improve lives by planting trees |
| Tree Council | Aims to empower organisations, government, communities and individuals with the knowledge and tools to create positive, lasting change at a national and local level |
| Canal and River Trust* (*England and Wales only) | Cares for a 2,000-mile network of canals and navigable rivers |
| The Conservation Volunteers | Working with local communities to improve green spaces |
| Groundwork | Supports local communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience |
| Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT) | Protecting wetlands and wildlife |
| GoodGym Charity | They offer opportunities to combine physical exercise with volunteering, in particular assisting local community projects with physical tasks |
RESEARCH | |
| Centre for Climate Engagement (CCE) | CCE plays a unique role in bringing leading academic research and expert practitioner insights to board directors, lawyers and policymakers. It supports emerging research in climate law, governance, and organisational change, providing evidence-based analysis tailored to decision-makers.Research is conducted both directly by postdoctoral researchers and through collaborations with academic and industry experts. |
| Climate Research Forum (CRF) | The Climate Research Forum (CRF) offers a space for experts to exchange knowledge and develop innovative approaches to climate litigation, while safeguarding the independence of both legal and scientific communities.welcome researchers and practitioners working in climate-related science and law to express their interest in joining the CRF and/or one of its Working Groups (Climate Finance; Loss and Damage; Systemic Mitigation; and Just Transition). |
| Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at LSE (GRI) | GRI is a world-leading multidisciplinary centre for policy-relevant research and training on climate change and the environment, bringing together international expertise from across LSE and beyond, including on economics, finance, geography, the environment, science, law, international relations, development and political science. |
GOVERNMENT | |
| Environment Agency (EA) | EA is the regulatory body responsible for environmental permits and management of environmental incidents such as waste crime; flooding; dangerous structures; litter; noise. |
| Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) | DEFRA is the ministerial department responsible for improving and protecting the environment. DEFRA aims to grow a green economy and sustain thriving rural communities, and also support the food, farming and fishing industries. |
| Natural England | Natural England’s purpose is to help conserve, enhance and manage the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations, thereby contributing to sustainable development. |
| Office for Environmental Protection(OEP) | The OEP is a public body that protects and improves the environment by holding government and other public authorities to account. |
LAW FIRMS | |
| Bates Wells | Bates Wells sees it as their purpose to create a positive impact on people, communities and the planet. It works in the sectors of impact investing, charity & not for profit and sustainable fashion. |
| Leigh Day | Leigh Day handles major environmental claims with experience in areas including human rights, climate change, wildlife, fossil fuels, infrastructure and planning. |
| Mishcon de Raya | The Mishcon Purpose team litigates to address social and environmental harms, to obtain justice for communities and other claimants, and to drive strategic change to address systemic challenges to society and the environment. It also advises corporates, boards and leaders on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) issues and evolving directors’ duties. |
| Pogust Goodhead | Pogust Goodhead’s work is focused on helping individuals, groups, and businesses access fair and tangible justice. With particular expertise in environmental law, they hold multinational corporations accountable for their environmental harm. Pogust Goodhead’s cases in this area include the Mariana dam disaster, Brumadinho dam disaster, and Maceió salt mine damage. |
| Richard Buxton Solicitors | Richard Buxton is a specialist environmental law firm. They have expertise in environmental, planning and public law and are recognised as one of the best in the field. Acting for individuals, local groups, campaigns and charities across the country, their work ranges from challenging public authority decisions to pursuing nuisance claims. |
CHAMBERS | |
| Cornerstone Barristers | Cornerstone Barristers have handled planning and environmental issues, including green belt and countryside issues, the historic environments, energy and renewables, fracking, minerals and waste, habitat and species protection as well as disputes relating to common land and village greens. |
| Francis Taylor Building (FTB) | FTB is a barristers’ chambers specialising in planning, environment, licensing, public, compulsory purchase and land valuation, major infrastructure projects, local government, rating, ecclesiastical and religious liberty, highways, commons and open spaces and ADR. Recent Supreme Court cases include Coventry v Lawrence, R (Morge) v Hampshire CC, Manchester Ship Canal v United Utilities, Fish Legal & Shirley v Information Commissioner and Dover DC v CPRE Kent. |
| Garden Court Chambers | Garden Court Chambers has a track record in the field of environmental law. They have brought climate change litigation before international tribunals and advised on climate and environmental justice cases. |
| Landmark Chambers | Landmark Chambers is a set of barristers specialising in environmental and planning law. They regularly act for government, regulators, industry, corporate clients and private individuals and groups on wide ranging issue relating to air quality, access to environmental justice (including Aarhus Convention proceedings), waste, contaminated land, pollution, water, noise, climate change, emissions trading, environmental permitting and regulation (including the marine environment), environmental assessment, energy (including renewables), environmental information, utilities, habitats and species protection, nuisance and issues relating to access to the countryside, commons and village greens. |
| Matrix Chambers | Matrix has been involved in challenges relating to the climate change emergency and environmental destruction, both in domestic courts and at the international level, including the Okpabi and Vedanta cases. They have advised international organisations including UN bodies, states and NGOs from around the world on climate change |
| Six Pump Court Chambers | Six Pump Court specialises in environmental law, planning, health and safety law, amongst other types of regulatory law. |
| 39 Essex Chambers | 39 Essex Chambers acts in environmental litigation both domestically and internationally. Members specialise in all aspects of environmental law including matters relating to: waste, water, contaminated land, nuisance, chemicals, permitting, natural resources, ESGand other issues arising from development. |
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