Center for International Environmental Law
A public nonprofit organization that uses international and domestic environmental law to protect the environment, advance human rights, and support a just and sustainable society.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
The Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) is a public nonprofit environmental law organization founded in 1989 and headquartered in Washington, DC, with an office in Geneva, Switzerland. Its work is focused on using law, legal advocacy, research, and public education to address environmental harm while advancing human rights and social justice. Rather than operating as a commercial brand, CIEL functions as an independent civil-society organization that supports communities, public-interest organizations, and broader environmental movements in legal and policy debates. CIEL's stated approach treats environmental protection and human dignity as closely connected. Its work addresses the relationship between environmental degradation, public health, climate change, biodiversity, corporate accountability, and the rights of affected communities. The organization also emphasizes the limits of the planet and the need for legal systems to reflect the interdependence of people and the natural environment. Its principal areas of work are organized into three broad programs: Climate and Energy, Environmental Health, and Fossil Economy. Within those programs, CIEL addresses climate change, fossil-fuel development, chemicals, plastics, biodiversity, environmental rights, human rights, international financial institutions, trade and sustainable development, and legal issues affecting communities. Its activities include legal analysis, strategic advocacy, research reports, participation in international policy processes, and education for organizations, corporations, and the public. CIEL has produced research intended to document environmental risks and corporate or industry influence on public policy. The 2017 report Smoke and Fumes examined the oil and gas industry's role in supporting climate-denial science and messaging; the report has subsequently been cited in climate litigation involving major carbon-producing companies. In 2019, CIEL published Plastic & Health and Plastic & Climate, which connected plastic production and use with risks to human health, climate, and ecosystems. Pandemic Crisis, Systemic Decline, published in 2020, examined how the oil, gas, and petrochemical sectors sought advantage during the COVID-19 crisis. In 2022, Pushing Back addressed petrochemical expansion and its implications for communities. CIEL also provides legal internship opportunities and engages in educational work intended to build understanding of environmental law. Its international orientation is reflected in its Washington and Geneva presence and in its attention to international institutions, trade rules, global chemicals governance, and cross-border environmental problems. Rebecca Brown became president and chief executive officer in 2025. CIEL remains an active public-interest organization rather than a listed company or consumer-facing product brand.
History
The Center for International Environmental Law was established in 1989 as a public-interest organization devoted to applying law to international environmental problems. From its beginning, CIEL's role has been broader than conventional legal representation: it combines legal research, advocacy, public education, and engagement with institutions and communities. Its mission connects environmental protection with human rights, equality, public health, and the long-term sustainability of human societies and ecosystems. CIEL developed an international profile through its work in areas where environmental problems cross national borders or are shaped by global rules. Its Washington, DC headquarters places it near United States policymaking institutions, while its Geneva office supports engagement with international organizations and global governance processes. The organization has worked across questions involving international financial institutions, trade and sustainable development, chemicals, biodiversity, climate policy, environmental rights, and community protection. The organization's work is structured around three principal programs: Climate and Energy, Environmental Health, and Fossil Economy. These programs allow CIEL to address both direct environmental harms and the legal and economic systems that enable them. Climate and energy work concerns climate change and fossil-fuel policy. Environmental Health work covers chemicals, plastics, and related effects on people and ecosystems. Fossil Economy work examines the legal, financial, and community consequences of fossil-fuel and petrochemical development. Research has been an important part of CIEL's public contribution. Smoke and Fumes, published in 2017, investigated the oil and gas industry's financing and promotion of climate-denial research and messaging. The report became relevant to subsequent climate litigation involving major carbon-producing companies. In 2019, CIEL issued Plastic & Health and Plastic & Climate, bringing together evidence about the effects of plastic production and consumption on human health, the climate, and the wider environment. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Pandemic Crisis, Systemic Decline, published in 2020, examined how oil, gas, and petrochemical companies sought to use the crisis to pursue their interests. Pushing Back, published in 2022, focused on petrochemical expansion and its implications for communities. In addition to publishing research, CIEL educates organizations, corporations, and the public about environmental law and policy. It also offers legal internships, contributing to professional development in public-interest environmental law. Its advocacy model relies on legal reasoning and evidence rather than on commercial products or services. CIEL continues to operate as an active nonprofit organization. Rebecca Brown has served as president and chief executive officer since 2025. The organization's current identity is defined by the use of law as a tool for environmental protection, climate accountability, human-rights advancement, and support for communities affected by pollution and resource-intensive development.
- 2025
Rebecca Brown assumes chief executive role
[1]Rebecca Brown became president and chief executive officer of CIEL.
- 2022
Pushing Back published
[1]CIEL reported on petrochemical expansion and its effects on communities.
- 2020
Pandemic Crisis, Systemic Decline published
[1]CIEL assessed how fossil-fuel and petrochemical interests sought to benefit from the COVID-19 crisis.
- 2019
Plastic research published
[1]CIEL released reports examining the links between plastics, human health, climate change, and environmental damage.
- 2017
Smoke and Fumes published
[1]CIEL published research on the oil and gas industry's support for climate-denial science and communications.
- 1989
Organization founded
[1]The Center for International Environmental Law was established as a public nonprofit environmental law organization.
Products and positioning
An international public-interest environmental law organization positioned at the intersection of environmental protection, human rights, public health, climate accountability, and community advocacy.
Program
Climate and Energy
CIEL's Climate and Energy program addresses climate change and the legal, policy, and corporate systems associated with energy production and use. Its work forms part of the organization's broader effort to use legal tools to advance climate accountability, protect communities, and connect climate policy with human rights and environmental justice.
Program
Environmental Health
The Environmental Health program focuses on the effects of chemicals, plastics, and other environmental hazards on people and ecosystems. It combines legal analysis, research, and advocacy to examine how regulatory systems can reduce exposure, protect public health, and address the unequal burdens placed on communities by pollution.
Program
Fossil Economy
CIEL's Fossil Economy program examines the legal and social consequences of fossil-fuel and petrochemical development. Its subject matter includes industry expansion, community impacts, corporate accountability, and the institutions that finance or regulate fossil-based economic activity.
Research report · 2017
Smoke and Fumes
This 2017 research report examined the oil and gas industry's efforts to fund climate-denial science and public messaging. It became part of the evidentiary and public-policy discussion surrounding climate accountability and litigation against major carbon-producing companies.
Research report · 2019
Plastic & Health
Published in 2019, this report examined the relationship between plastics and human health, including the broader consequences of the plastics system for communities and the environment.
Research report · 2019
Plastic & Climate
This 2019 report explored the climate implications of plastics, connecting plastic production and use with greenhouse-gas emissions and wider environmental impacts.
Research report · 2020
Pandemic Crisis, Systemic Decline
Published in 2020, the report investigated how oil, gas, and petrochemical companies attempted to use the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic disruption to advance their interests.
Research report · 2022
Pushing Back
This 2022 report examined petrochemical-industry development and the implications of expansion for communities affected by pollution, industrial activity, and related environmental risks.
Brand decisions
2025
Appointment of Rebecca Brown as president and CEOOtherBackground
CIEL entered a new leadership phase in 2025 with Rebecca Brown identified as its president and chief executive officer.
Action taken
Rebecca Brown assumed the organization's top executive and presidential role.
Aftermath
The available reference material does not specify additional organizational consequences or strategic changes following the appointment.
Recent events
- 2025
Rebecca Brown becomes CIEL president and chief executive officer[1]
Leadership change
Rebecca Brown was identified as the Center for International Environmental Law's president and chief executive officer beginning in 2025.
- 2022
CIEL publishes Pushing Back on petrochemical expansion[1]
Other
The report examined petrochemical-industry development and the consequences of expansion for communities.
- 2020
CIEL examines fossil-fuel industry conduct during the pandemic[1]
Other
Pandemic Crisis, Systemic Decline analyzed efforts by oil, gas, and petrochemical interests to use the COVID-19 crisis to advance their interests.
- 2019
CIEL releases reports on plastics, health, and climate[1]
Other
CIEL published Plastic & Health and Plastic & Climate, linking the plastics system with public-health, climate, and environmental impacts.
- 2017
CIEL publishes Smoke and Fumes[1]
Other
CIEL released research examining the oil and gas industry's support for climate-denial science and communications. The work was later cited in climate litigation concerning major carbon-producing companies.
Sources2 sources
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