A recent study published in Environmental Politics highlights the increasing repression of climate and environmental protests. The authors point out that governments worldwide are adopting new laws, leveraging existing regulations, deploying police forces, and pushing negative narratives about activists. They argue that, as many authoritarian regimes scale back climate policies, these repressive tactics are likely to grow.
Oscar Berglund, a co-author of the report, emphasized the rising vilification of climate activists. He noted that media and politicians play significant roles in this. This narrative helps legitimize state actions against those protesting for the environment.
According to data gathered from 14 countries, repression often manifests through new laws targeting protests, especially those focused on “critical infrastructure,” such as pipelines. Countries like the U.S. and the U.K. have enacted stringent laws with severe penalties. Meanwhile, private entities, including corporations, sometimes resort to violence against land and environmental defenders, especially Indigenous activists.
The data reveals a startling increase in assaults on environmental activists. Since 2012, over 2,100 land and environmental defenders have been killed globally. Among them, about 43% were Indigenous people, and many of these incidents occurred in Latin America.
In the U.S., the situation has become dire. Activists in Georgia protesting a contentious police training facility faced charges that could lead to severe prison sentences. A tragic incident involved an activist, Manuel Esteban Paez Terán, who was shot multiple times by security forces—an alarming first in the U.S. context.
Outside the U.S., violence against activists often goes unchecked, highlighting a global culture of impunity for those targeting activists. Berglund believes Indigenous people have been at the forefront of environmental struggles for generations, defending their lands against harmful practices like mining and fossil fuel extraction.
The report also connects these trends to a broader political narrative. Under the Trump administration, the U.S. exited the Paris Agreement, and numerous companies began rolling back their climate commitments. This move complicates the public’s understanding of climate change and takes attention away from necessary discussions.
In October 2025, Trump directed federal law enforcement to investigate organizations connected to antifa. This included environmental groups like the Sierra Club, further delegitimizing their efforts and increasing their vulnerability to violence.
The findings underscore a concerning trend: vilifying activists leads to increased risks, not just in legal repercussions but also in physical violence. As society grapples with climate crises, the repression of those fighting for change poses a significant challenge to progress.
For further insights on this pressing issue, check out Global Witness’s reports, which detail the dangers faced by environmental defenders worldwide.
