Environmental human rights defenders are the driving force in advocating for actions to address the climate crisis. Doing so, they often risk their own safety. And despite their vital role, they are also often excluded from the very decisions that shape their futures. That is why ECNL joined forces with other civil society organisations, environmental human rights defenders, Indigenous groups, UN bodies, funders and government leaders to co-create a new initiative.
The Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders (LEAD) is a global platform for dialogue and action to advance the protection of defenders and strengthen their recognition and participation in multilateral climate discussions.
LEAD is co-created through several discussions. For example, during the 2024 New York Climate Week, the LEAD coalition hosted several convenings to highlight what defenders need to safely exercise their rights and participate in the climate discussions that affect them. The LEAD initiative also had a stage moment at the 2024 Global Citizen Festival, calling for the protection of environmental human rights defenders and civic space in front of a crowd of 60,000 people in Central Park and 100 million people online. LEAD will formally launch at COP30 in Belem, Brasil in November 2025.
Thanks to these actions:
- The protection of environmental defenders was enhanced.
- The recognition and participation of defenders in multilateral climate discussions were strengthened.
Watch this video about the power of LEAD and why human rights must be at the heart of climate action: