This syntax is documented only in log4j 2.X so make sure you are using the correct version.
<Appenders>
<File name="file" fileName="${env:LOG_PATH}">
<PatternLayout>
<Pattern>%d %p %c{1.} [%t] %m %ex%n</Pattern>
</PatternLayout>
</File>
</Appenders>
http://logging.apache.org/log4j/2.x/manual/lookups.html#EnvironmentLookup