Protecting Environmental Defenders: Advancing the Escazú Agreement

Mobilising resources to strengthen safety and impact across Latin America

Took place 13 November | In-person & Online | COP30, Belém, Brazil

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Environmental defenders safeguard land, forests and water but face growing risks from violence, criminalisation and shrinking civic space. Despite their critical role in climate and biodiversity goals, funding for their protection remains scarce and uneven.

Latin America is the most dangerous region of the world for environmental defenders. Killings, intimidation, and criminalisation of defenders have become obstacles to climate action in the region. However, new policy developments may shine a light of hope. In 2018, the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation, and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean (known as the Escazú Agreement) was adopted as the first treaty in the world to include specific obligations for the recognition and protection of environmental defenders.

Today, 18 countries are parties to the treaty, and 24 have signed it. Since the treaty entered into force in 2021, governments, donors and civil society have engaged in concrete action to shift the narrative around the defence of environmental rights and advance their implementation at the national level. New financial commitments, stronger regional mechanisms and political will are now needed to improve safety and expand impact.

This Financial Times event, hosted in partnership with the Open Society Foundations (OSF) brought together senior government officials, donor representatives, civil society and defenders themselves. Against the backdrop of COP30, it highlighted the urgency of protecting those on the frontline of climate action, showcased new financial commitments, and explored how international and regional mechanisms, such as the Escazu Agreement, can be strengthened to ensure lasting impact.