Protecting Environmental Defenders: Advancing the Escazú Agreement
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) brings together senior government officials, donor representatives, civil society and defenders themselves. Against the backdrop of COP30, it will highlight the urgency of protecting those on the frontline of climate action, showcase new financial commitments, and explore how international and regional mechanisms, such as the Escazu Agreement, can be strengthened to ensure lasting impact.
Simultaneous interpretation will be available.
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Key Discussion Points
Strengthening the Escazú Agreement
What mechanisms can strengthen the Escazú Agreement and support its implementation?
Scaling Funding for Protection and Accountability
How can donors and private actors scale funding for protection and accountability?
Indigenous Leadership in Protection Policies
What role should indigenous women and communities play in shaping protection policies?
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Venue
This event will take place at the Maison Blue in Belém, Brazil — host city of the thirtieth UN Climate Change Conference. Located in the Amazon, COP30 marks a historic moment as the negotiations move to one of the world’s most vital regions for climate action.
Address: Tv. Dr. Moraes, 294 - Nazaré, Belém - PA, 66035-080, Brazil
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Speaking Opportunities
Alex Bell
alexandra.bell@ft.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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