A University of Bristol report reveals an increase in repression of climate and environmental activism globally
By Marco Lopez – Editor-in-Chief, Climate Spotlight
It’s safe to say that climate consciousness has reached the critical mass necessary to trigger social action at scale. Populations are becoming more and more aware of their place in a world gripped by the climate crisis, and of the global economic system that continues to drive this fallout. This is reason to be optimistic.
But as the winds of change move the people of the world to demand more from leaders – those responsible for addressing the climate and environmental fallout we continue to live with – those proponents of the status quo have proceeded to force a knee on the necks of those standing.
A report published by the University of Bristol in late 2024 reveals an increase in the repression of climate and environmental activism globally.
Although this global trend has received little attention before, the report shows that repression is on the rise, creating roadblocks for those advocating for climate justice. The report points out that, largely, democratic countries are involved in these acts of repression, using police forces and other security and legal apparatus to stop protests and prosecute protesters.
Governments from across the world are guilty of these acts of repression. Particularly, this trend is widespread in global North countries. Protests in the UK and Australia, for example, have received increased attention.
Protests aimed at raising awareness of the carbon-driven global economic system tend to make wider policy and political demands, typically rubbing business interests and politicians the wrong way. Since these protests typically occur in urban areas, the interruption of daily life and increased visibility and attention from the public and media drive politicians to utilize police forces to stop protests and legal avenues to prosecute activists.
In some countries, anti-protest laws were introduced to give police more power to stop protests. Other nations introduced new criminal offenses against protests, increased sentence lengths, and instituted policies of impunity when harming protesters during arrests.
Among the 14 countries examined in the report, a total of 22 pieces of such legislation were found – being implemented as recently as 2019.
In some instances, laws designed to combat terrorism and organized crime are being used against climate and environmental activists. In Germany, protests staged by members of Letzte Generation (Last Generation) were charged in May 2024 with forming a criminal organization – a provision in the law used to combat the formation of mafia organizations. These laws had never been applied to non-violent groups before that time.
Environmental activists in the Philippines have found themselves expatriated, unable to return to their home island following their stance.
Criminalization and repression of climate and environmental activists look different around the world, but what is undeniable are the remarkable uptick and similarities highlighted in this report. No doubt, there are many risks associated with participating in climate and environmental protests across the world.
In Latin America, five elderly community leaders and environmental rights activists – Alejandro Laínez García, Miguel Ángel Gámez, Pedro Rivas Laínez, Antonio Pacheco, and Saúl Rivas Ortega – are being brutally dragged through the courts of El Salvador. In October 2024, they were acquitted of charges of murder and illicit association linking them to the Salvadoran Civil War. The following month, on November 25, 2024, the criminal case was, however, reopened before a new court.
Before being released in October, these men were detained for around 22 months, 13 of which were spent under house arrest, deprived of basic needs. This new chapter of the episode has significantly impacted the mental and physical health of these men.
Governments, legal systems, and security forces must protect the right of people to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.
