The EDO's lawyers provide access to justice for the Queensland community by offering legal advice and education and engaging in policy and law reform.
The work done by community legal centres specialising in public interest environmental law such as EDO Qld has been acknowledged.
In a 2012 report into access to justice, the Commonwealth Productivity Commission concluded that "there are strong grounds for the legal assistance sector to receive funding to undertake strategic advocacy, law reform and public interest litigation including in relation to environmental matters" given the important contribution the EDOs make to not only strengthening community rights but also the efficiency and effectiveness of Australia's environmental protection laws.
The EDO helps people understand their legal rights and explains how to exercise them in relation to environmental issues that affect the broader community.
These include: The EDO helps build the community's legal skills and knowledge, empowering them to facilitate public participation in environmental decision making.