Killing of Environmental Activists: The supply chain of violence

Every year, more people are killed defending the environment than are soldiers from the United Kingdom and Australia on overseas deployments in war zones combined. During the last 15 years, the number of both deaths of environmental defenders, and the countries where they occur, have increased. Recorded deaths have increased from two per week to four per week over this period. These deaths are primarily related to conflict over natural resources, across a range of sectors.

This study offers a global analysis of the drivers of violence, showing that corruption and rule of law are predictors of environmental defender deaths. To address this situation, governments, businesses and investors should be held accountable for their role in supply chains that drive violence.

Read full article