Will you protect the people who protect biodiversity?
Across the world, people are standing up for the environment, their homes and their communities. But they pay a terrible price. Over 2,000 land and environmental defenders have been murdered since we began documenting killings in 2012 - with 196 of these occurring just last year.
These killings are devastating in their own right – but also have knock-on effects for biodiversity loss because of the vital role defenders play in protecting the environment.
Defenders across the world are subject to other tactics like disappearances and abductions. They face threats, violence, intimidation and criminalisation at the hands of governments, businesses and others who try to silence them. They are dealing with this persecution in virtually every region of the world, from the Philippines, to Colombia, to the UK. Yet they remain steadfast in their struggle. Their voices cannot be silenced.
We urgently need better protections for defenders and policies that put an end to indifference and impunity. As we near climate and biodiversity conferences COP29 and CBD COP16, we have huge opportunities to ensure defenders' voices are heard, with their knowledge and experience crucial to informing decisions around the future of our planet.
Will you stand with us and call for better protections that will defend the defenders?
We’re campaigning to ensure land and environmental defenders worldwide are protected, and can carry out their work without fear.
We’re also demanding justice for attacks - exposing the people behind them, and amplifying defenders' stories.
Add your voice and support to help make sure defenders are protected.