In every corner of the world, from the burning rainforests of the Amazon to the rising shores of the Pacific Islands, environmental defenders are on the front lines of the fight against one of humanity’s greatest threats: climate change. These courageous individuals and communities are not only protecting our planet but are also championing the rights of those who are most affected by environmental destruction—Indigenous peoples, women, Afro-descendants, and rural communities.

As their voices grow stronger, so too do the threats against them.

Environmental defenders are being targeted through  physical violence, exploitation and relentless criminalization designed to silence their advocacy. The risks they face are real, and in some cases, lethal.  Yet, despite the dangers, these communities remain resilient as they continue at the forefront of this unprecedented global movement. Their stories are not just tales of resistance but also powerful reminders of the urgent need for international solidarity.

In celebration of Climate Week, we are spotlighting 5 emblematic cases that demonstrate continued efforts to protect the people who protect our planet. These cases play important roles in building new standards for how courts consider the experiences of climate defenders. They tell the stories of individuals and communities who have put everything on the line in order to continue their relentless advocacy. 

A Global Threat with Local Stakes

The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) is a project on track to become the longest heated crude oil pipeline in the world, cutting through protected lands and displacing thousands of people from their homes in Uganda and Tanzania. The project threatens some of Africa’s most biodiverse regions; the human costs are equally devastating. In Uganda, anti-EACOP protestors have built coalitions and led large-scale protest actions. Protestors have faced state surveillance, smear campaigns, and violent crackdowns.  So far, UN special rapporteurs have identified 30 human rights defenders and 20 NGOs who work on EACOP that have been “subjected to surveillance, smear campaigns and threats.” Four of these defenders — Nicholas Lutabi, Jacob Lubega, Shafik Kaylongo Kalyango, and Abdul Aziz Bwete — were beaten, tear-gassed, detained, and put on trial. While they were released on bail, they are still awaiting their final decision. Even in recent months, twenty students languished in maximum security prisons for the simple act of standing up to a pipeline that threatens their future. They have been released on bail but await an ultimate ruling. Despite these attacks, their resistance persists, a testament to the power of collective action. You can read more about their case here and watch a video about them here. 

On the other side of the world, Pacific Island students are battling rising sea levels that threaten to swallow their homes. For them, climate change is not a distant possibility but a reality that devastates their communities and their biodiversity. In 2019, 27 students from the University of the South Pacific launched a campaign to push the leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum to bring the conversation around climate change’s impacts on human rights to the International Court of Justice. Their relentless advocacy led to a monumental victory when the UNGA unanimously adopted Resolution 77/276 calling for the ICJ to issue an advisory opinion on state obligations related to climate change. A year later, in March 2024, the International Court of Justice received the highest number of written statements filed by States and authorized international organizations, including RFK Human Rights, at a whopping total of 91. On August 15th, 2024, the ICJ received 62 Written Comments in response to the 91 submissions. The Court is preparing for oral submissions later this year on December 2nd, 2024. These students have set a powerful precedent: young people can change the world, even in the face of overwhelming odds. You can watch a video about their impressive effort here. 

In the United States, the story of Esteban Páez Terán, known by his community as Tortuguita, illustrates the existential risks environmental defenders face. Tortuguita, an Indigenous and non-binary activist, was protesting against a proposed police training facility in Atlanta known as ‘Cop City,’ when law enforcement shot him 14 times as he was sitting with arms raised, ultimately killing them. Tortuguita was the first environmental defender killed by United States law enforcement. The facility was set to be built in Atlanta’s Weelaunee Forest, a staple in combating Atlanta’s urban heat and pollution. Tortuguita, along with other organizers, had established encampments in the forest’s canopy in protest of the construction. The circumstances of their death remain shrouded in mystery. This lack of accountability is a stark reminder that even in democracies, climate defenders can pay the ultimate price for their advocacy. You can learn more about their case here and watch a video here. 

Then there is Berta Cáceres, a renowned Lenca indigenous leader in Honduras who was murdered in her home for opposing a hydroelectric dam on the Gualcarque River that threatened the lands of the Lenca people. Berta led the Consejo Cívico de Organizaciones Populares e Indígenas de Honduras (COPINH) (Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras). As a result of her powerful and persistent leadership, she was met with consistent threats, harassment, and criminalizations. Following the efforts of her family, the perpetrators were ultimately brought to justice; however, the case is in jeopardy as the Honduran Supreme Court of Justice has failed to uphold the convictions of the eight responsible individuals. Her family and community continue rallying to ensure accountability. Despite her assassination, her legacy endures as communities continue to fight against the pervasive impunity that endangers defenders across the globe. Her case highlights a cruel paradox: those who stand up to protect the environment are often the least protected by the systems meant to ensure justice. Learn more about her case here and watch a video here. 

Finally, we turn to the Zongo communities in La Paz, Bolivia who have been fighting against the impacts of a scheelite mine since 1975. The mine has contaminated the Zongo River, caused deforestation, and violated labor rights, threatening the Community’s survival and way of life. Despite winning a case in their Indigenous jurisdiction, wholly recognized by the Bolivian Constitution, to expel the businessman responsible, Zongo leaders have faced relentless legal retaliation. Even with favorable rulings from Bolivia’s Tribunal Constitucional Plurinacional (the highest court in the ordinary jurisdiction) affirming their rights, violent clashes and continued criminalization continue. This underscores the ongoing fight of these Indigenous defenders, some of whom are actively facing unjust prosecution. To support and protect these communities, learn more about their case here, and watch this video. 

A Call to Action

The international community must recognize the critical role of climate defenders and take decisive steps to ensure their safety. The threats faced by environmental defenders are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, systemic attack on civic space and human rights. As temperatures rise, the battle for climate justice intensifies—and it is one that none of us can afford to lose.

Governments and institutions need to end the harassment and criminalization of environmental defenders and provide them with the protection they deserve. This includes holding perpetrators of violence accountable, enacting and enforcing laws that protect defenders, and recognizing the vital role these individuals play in addressing the climate crisis. It also means listening to and amplifying the voices of those on the front lines, ensuring that policies are shaped by the people most affected.

The cases of EACOP, the Pacific Island students, Tortuguita, Berta Cáceres, and the Zongo communities are more than cautionary tales—they are calls to action. They remind us that standing in solidarity with environmental defenders is not just about sympathy; it is about action. Whether it’s signing petitions, supporting legal defense funds, or pressing our governments to do more, there are countless ways to stand in solidarity.

To learn more and take action, refer to our Civic Space Case Tracker, where you can find detailed information on these and other cases and potential steps you can take to support them. Environmental defenders are not just fighting for their own communities—they are fighting for us all. Their courage and commitment should inspire us to take up their cause, working toward a world where both our planet and its most powerful defenders are able to thrive.