The destruction of wildlife and habitats is one of the most pressing environmental challenges we face today.

Pollution, climate change, agriculture and industry growth are all putting a strain on global biodiversity, causing species populations to decline and the health of ecosystems to suffer. The ongoing disappearance of natural habitats is not only a threat to wildlife, but to the welfare – and survival – of humanity.

1m

species on the planet are currently threatened with extinction.

25

active cases defending wildlife and habitats

How we're defending wildlife and habitats

We work to protect and rehabilitate natural habitats and species by strengthening laws and making sure they are properly enforced. We focus on defending important nature sites and combating pesticide misuse. We prompted an historic ruling from the European Court of Justice, stopping illegal logging plans by the Polish government. We pioneered the Sustainable Seafood Coalition (SSC), uniting UK retailers in sourcing and labelling codes for seafood.

Deer in forest

Protecting vulnerable wildlife

We protect threatened species of plants and animals, giving nature the chance to flourish.

Defending habitats under threat

We work to protect natural habitats by ensuring that the law is properly understood and enforced.

Fisheries & Sustainable Seafood

We’re holding the EU accountable for overfishing and illegal fishing and ensuring illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing is eliminated from seafood markets.

What we've achieved

We stepped in to help save Poland’s ancient, UNESCO protected forests from illegal logging. Three countries are facing a legal challenge for failing to protect whales, after we complained to top officials in Brussels. We’re challenging the Portuguese government on the construction of a new airport that would threaten the protected habitat of migratory birdlife.

Fighting the destruction of Portugal's Tagus Estuary

The Portuguese government has plans to build a new airport in the country's most important wetland - the Tagus Estuary. The area is on the path of hundreds of thousands of migratory wetland birds that congregate there for winter, or while travelling between Northern Europe and Africa. So we're stepping in.

Find out what we're doing to help

What's happening right now

Credits: Roberto Jequier

Environmental justice

Wildlife & habitats

Fisheries & Seafood

19 December 2024

Lost water, lost culture: the dark side of Chilean salmon

Wildlife & habitats

Climate

Defending habitats

Protecting species

Europe

Italy

1 December 2024

We’ve won in court against the Italian government over a gas project in Italy

Wildlife & habitats

Nature & wildlife

25 October 2024

Protected nature areas: why do we need them and how do they work?

Wildlife & habitats

Protecting species

Defending habitats

14 October 2024

What happened at COP16?

Resources

Nature Directives  |  14 October 2024

Law in Action: Achieving Global Peace with Nature - ClientEarth briefing for COP16 CBD

Nature Directives

Oceans

Protected Areas

Forests

Wildlife & habitats

Climate

Agriculture

Pollution

Environmental justice

Fisheries & Seafood

Communities & forests

Defending habitats

Europe

Protecting species

Africa

Americas

Asia & the Pacific

Europe  |  19 September 2024

Joint Statement: EU must step up coexistence efforts and maintain strong wolf protection

Europe

EU

Wildlife & habitats

Nature Directives

Europe  |  9 July 2024

Unlocking funds for nature: How the next EU budget must deliver for biodiversity

Europe

Nature Directives

Wildlife & habitats

EU

Plastics Policy  |  22 April 2024

Global Plastics Treaty INC-4 Negotiations

Plastics Policy

Plastic as a business risk

Pollution

Climate

Environmental justice

Wildlife & habitats

Plastics

Fossil fuels

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