There is virtually no aspect of human rights or development that will not be affected by the climate crisis, and there will be no effective response without the full engagement of citizens, communities, and civil society globally. However, the rise of a global climate movement has been accompanied by a crackdown on civic space for climate activists worldwide. As climate strikes, protests, and mass mobilization become more widespread, many governments have teamed up with private actors or turned to legislation that limits civic freedoms to quell climate activism.
Climate Change & Civic Space
Climate change will dramatically shift how we live our lives. A vibrant civic space is essential to ensure everyone can fully participate in shaping this future.
Key Resources
Closing Civic Space for Climate Activists
This briefer, presented by ICNL and ECNL, outlines some of the common legal and extralegal measures used to target civil society actors working on climate justice. Many of these measures violate international and regional law and threaten civil society’s ability to address urgent environmental challenges.
Climate Change: A Civic Space Future Trend Report
Climate change and the response to the crisis is set to transform the global economy, politics, and society by 2040. This briefing explores how states’ responses to the climate crisis over the next two decades will affect civic space for a range of established and new actors.
Challenges to Environmental Groups’ Advocacy Rights
This issue of ICNL’s Global Trends examines common techniques used by governments and corporations to undermine the ability of environmental groups and activists to exercise freely their rights to assemble, associate, and express themselves.
Climate Activism from the Frontlines to the UN
This CIVICUS report examines the power of the growing climate movement, as well as restrictions that are holding it back. It also details how UN member states have collectively failed to respond, and makes recommendations on how to meaningfully recognize the youth climate movement.
Enemies of the State?
Global Witness’s annual report on the killings of land and environmental defenders documents the many ways defenders are being criminalized, with countless people threatened, arrested, or thrown in jail for daring to oppose the governments or companies seeking to profit from their land.
U.S. Current Trend: Environmental Nonprofits Facing Lawfare Tactics
The battle over environmental activism has moved indoors to legislatures and courtrooms. This ICNL analysis looks at new types of “lawfare” to weaponize the law to undermine environmental organizations and their message.
Green Voices: Public Participation for Climate Activists
This ECNL paper focuses on government restrictions that restrain activists and groups from meaningfully participating in decision-making processes on climate and environmental issues.
All Climate Change and Civic Space Resources
Green Voices: Public Participation for Climate Activists
ECNL paper on government restrictions that restrain activists/groups from participating in decision-making processes on climate ... Read More
Culture and Cultural Rights Dimensions of the Current Climate Emergency
This report, published by the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, Karima ... Read More
Closing Civic Space for Climate Activists
This briefer, presented by ICNL and ECNL, outlines some of the common legal and extralegal ... Read More
Overview: Critical Infrastructure Bills in the US
Across the country, communities are gathering at rallies and marches to express concerns about pipelines’ ... Read More
Future Trend Report: Climate Change
This briefing explores how states’ responses to the climate crisis over the next two decades ... Read More
Climate Activism from the Frontlines to the UN
This CIVICUS report examines the power of the growing climate movement, as well as restrictions ... Read More
