In June 1990, ELQ was recognized by the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) by inclusion on its Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement. This award was created in 1987 to recognize outstanding work in the protection of the global environment. The award is considered to be one of the most prestigious in the international environmental field. ELQ was one of seventy-eight honorees from thirty-nine countries; it was the only academic journal to be so recognized.

ELQ members comprised Boalt Hall's 2001 Pace University Environmental Moot Court team which brought home top honors!  Competing among 50 teams from the top law schools in the country, the Boalt team showed it's acumen in appellate written and oral argument, winning the three round oral argument competition.