During various events at COP30 in Belem, ECNL together with a broad coalition of partners will officially launch the Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders (LEAD). LEAD is a global platform, which over the last two years, has brought together a broad community of frontline defenders, civil society, philanthropy, champions from governments and international organisations to elevate the role of environmental human rights defenders in global climate governance. The momentum for the important role LEAD has in working with and supporting defenders is growing fast: more than 30 world leaders have already endorsed the initiative, and over 100,000 people have joined the call to protect defenders and the communities standing on the front lines of the climate crisis.
The causes and achievements of our partners and environmental human rights defenders will be promoted and celebrated at COP30 through a series of events - called LEAD Launch Journey. Each event will showcase how collaboration across sectors can drive greater protection, recognition, and participation of defenders. Find more details about the Launch Journey on the LEAD website and below:
Reception: Launching the LEAD Initiative
Date: Tuesday, 11 November 2025 | Time: 16:30 - 21:15 | Location: Grassroots Movement for Climate Venue – Travessa Piedade, 426, Bairro Reduto, Belém
A series of panels bringing together coalitions of defenders, civil society and governments to discuss the launch of LEAD and outline expectations for 2026 and beyond. Followed by an evening reception to continue networking and exchange.
How to attend: Open event, subject to venue capacity. No registration needed.
Advancing Climate Justice through Multisectoral Action: the LEAD Initiative Strategy
Date: Wednesday, 12 November 2025 | Time: 15:00 - 16:30 | Location: Economia Criativa Building, General Secretariat of the Presidency of Brazil, Green Zone
A series of language-based strategy meetings where environmental and human rights defenders will identify their 2026 priorities and co-design LEAD’s next phase of work on recognition, protection and participation in climate governance.
How to attend: Please register here. Limited capacity.
Collective Action to Elevate Defender Voices: Official Launch of LEAD
Date: Thursday, 13 November 2025 | Time: 13:00 - 14:30 | Location: Ford Pavilion, Blue Zone
The formal launch of LEAD at COP30 will showcase the voices of environmental human rights defenders, government representatives, UN bodies and experts and and donors. This inaugural event will serve as a moment of collective commitment to highlight defenders’ leadership as essential to achieving climate justice and recognize the role of LEAD champions to co-create and advance the initiative. The panel will be followed by a networking reception.
How to attend: If you are interested in attending this event, please contact Natalia Gomez at [email protected]. Limited capacity.
Plan to Accelerate Solutions (PAS) Implementation Workshop - The Central Role of Environmental Defenders in the Global Climate Agenda
Date: Monday, 17 November 2025 | Time: 11:00 - 12:30 | Location: Axis 5 Thematic Room, Blue Zone
Final event of the LEAD journey. The Ministry of Indigenous Peoples, Ministry of Racial Equality and Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship of Brazil will present their Acceleration Plan for Environmental Human Rights Defenders within the Global Stocktake (GST) framework and express their collective commitment to implement actions aligned with LEAD. The objectives are to (i) promote the formal and official international recognition of environmental defenders' work as essential agents of the Just Transition and Climate Justice, underpinned by multilateral commitments, (ii) coordinate and encourage state commitments to establish or strengthen protection and participation policies and mechanisms, ensuring they are evidence-based regarding the risks and vulnerabilities faced by defenders, and (iii) establish a permanent space for multi-stakeholder dialogue and international coordination dedicated to the defense and security of environmental defenders.
How to attend: Open event, subject to venue capacity. No registration needed.
Recognising that environmental human right defenders play a vital yet vulnerable role in climate justice, through LEAD we are working to secure their recognition and protection, and ensure their voices are heard in decision-making spaces. Find out more in this story on how LEAD has been created.
Kicking off COP30, on 1 November 2025, LEAD also had a stage moment at the Global Citizen Festival Amazonia in Belem. Vanuza do Abacatal, Political and Spiritual Leader of the Abacatal Quilombo, and Claudelice Santos, environmental advocate, shared their powerful stories from their work in the Amazon and how LEAD can support their fight.