Defending the Environmental Defenders

On the 3rd and 4th June 2026, the Council of Europe hosted the first-ever Forum for Environmental Human Rights Defenders (EHRDs) in Strasbourg, France. More than 280 defenders from across Europe came together alongside NGOs, EU institutions, and state representatives to exchange experiences, strengthen connections, and advance environmental rights.

As one of the forum’s co-organisers, Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) attended and supported several sessions and initiatives throughout the event. This included the establishment of a Youth Taskforce, bringing together youth representatives from civil society organisations, UN and EU institutions to support the active participation of youth EHRDs and ensure that their perspectives were visible and reflected in discussions.

YEE’s contribution to the Forum and support to young EHRDs

The ability to bring, for example, youth EHRDs together is critical to empowering defenders. It is through gathering that defenders are better able to share ideas, advocacy and testimonies. This coming-together is essential to creating vital solidarities in the face of the ongoing persecution of EHRDs.

It is an opportunity for those actively risking their own wellbeing to safeguard our shared Environmental Human Rights and futures to have their voices and stories not only heard, but also amplified and acted on.

Within the organisational structure of the Forum, YEE were proud to be working within the Youth Task Force sub-committee. We aimed to promote and safeguard youth engagement throughout the event. 

From ice-breakers and energisers to logistics and raising concerns, we were the port of call for youth EHRDs navigating both the institutional and emotional landscape of the Council of Europe hosting the Forum. 

Seeing how youth defenders came together so enthusiastically, empathetically and tirelessly was truly inspiring. Their courage to attend, share their stories and wholeheartedly engage in debates must be met by the momentum to protect all of our shared environmental human rights.

Formalising the right to a healthy environment 

A core message which arose from the Forum was the need for a legally binding additional protocol for the Right to a Healthy Environment in the Council of Europe. 

Testimonies of repression, persecution and the impacts of undertaking environmental human rights activism on mental and physical health clearly laid out the contemporary hostility for defenders in Europe. 

Without this explicit recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, the critical advocacy of defenders can be dismissed and weaponised due to the lack of a legal instrument which can support both those advocating for our shared future, and thus European rightsholders more generally.

Protection, accountability and democratic action are central to mitigating the environmental and climate crisis. As a result, the Right to a Healthy Environment is a precondition for the enjoyment of all other human rights.

Holding companies accountable for environmental harm

Legal cases holding companies accountable for environmental damage are beginning to emerge across Europe, building good precedents for further legal action. At the same time, while the 2024 EU Environmental Crime Directive has been an important step forward, its transposition across Member States remains slow, demonstrating little appetite to address the issue.

Participants called for greater recognition of, and stronger responses to, corporate harms affecting environmental protection. They also suggested adopting more preventive approaches, such as the active participation of affected communities in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).

Recognising and Protecting Defenders

The recognition of EHRDs and the essential role they play for democracies to be considered healthy was at the core of the discussions. Through organising peaceful protests, acting as watchdogs, and building connections with communities, EHRDs contribute to building a sustainable future.

Across their different contexts, defenders shared concerns about Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPPs) and foreign agent laws that continue to restrict civic space. For young people in particular, this often translates into even fewer opportunities to participate in civic life, as limited resources make it harder to respond to legal and administrative pressures. 

The 2024 EU Anti-SLAPP directive is a step in the right direction, and should be transposed by Member States widely. Aarhus Convention review mechanisms are also in place to allow for international pressure. In addition, though, participants highlighted that countering this trend requires reclaiming the narrative around environmental activism and increasing the visibility of the contribution that EHRDs make to environmental rights. 

A call for action

It is important not to lose the momentum generated by this Forum. This is supported by the legally binding Additional Protocol to the Right to a Healthy Environment in the Council of Europe, as this right is a precondition to enjoy all other human rights.  We hope that the testimonies and common advocacy messages shared during the forum will inspire defenders, CSOs, as well as the EU and its Member States to continue building a strong commitment to creating an enabling environment for defenders across Europe. Therefore, as we look ahead, we must continue to defend the defenders who not only safeguard our shared environment, but also our democratic futures.