Criminalising Climate Activism: Recent Trends

Governments worldwide are cracking down on peaceful climate protestors, handing out longer sentences and using harsher tactics. Internationally, eco-activism is being portrayed negatively, raising concerns for the future of protest.

by Kamrie Holms

As the urgency of addressing climate change intensifies, so too does the response from governments around the world to climate activism. These responses often reflect political ideologies and legal frameworks. A concerning trend has emerged – the criminalization of environmental protests and activists across the political spectrum, threatening civil liberties and the ability of citizens to hold leaders accountable.

An Overview of Responses to Climate Activism Globally 

Latin America’s Resistance

In Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico – where environmental activism intersects with issues of indigenous rights – the criminalization of socio-environmental activism has been a long-standing issue [1]. Activists have faced charges ranging from trespassing to terrorism, often resulting in lengthy legal battles and intimidation tactics to protect corporate interests in extractive industries [2,3]. 

Asia’s Authoritarian Responses and Civil Society Restrictions

In authoritarian regimes like China and Russia, climate activism is met with the harshest of penalties, including long-term imprisonment and torture [4,5]. Even in democratic nations like India, responses to climate activism are mixed and often politically charged, with arrests and charges of sedition or public disorder, especially when protests coincide with broader social or political movements [6,7]. 

Europe’s Hardline Stance

In France, 175 climate activists were arrested in May 2024 for targeting the offices of TotalEnergies and one of its key investors [8,9]. This response aligns with France’s increasing intolerance towards disruptive protests. The French government has taken a hardline stance against such protests, with President Macron labeling them as “radical” and vowing to crack down on “eco-terrorism” [10]. In Germany, climate activists from the “Last Generation” group have been charged with forming a criminal organization, alarming civil liberties groups [11]. This crackdown suggests a growing trend in Germany, and Europe at large, to categorize environmental activism as a severe public order offense.

North America’s Varied Approaches and Political Influences

In the United States, responses have been similar – activists have been met with police brutality, excessive force, arrests and legal repercussions during high profile protests against fossil fuel projects [12]. Republican-governed states have introduced laws increasing penalties for protest-related offenses, prioritizing economic interests over environmental concerns [13]. Even in Democrat-led states, legal challenges have arisen depending on the scale and impact of activist actions.  

In Canada, climate activism against oil sands projects has faced significant resistance from federal and provincial governments, with hefty fines and jail time, reflecting the economic stakes tied to the energy sector [14,15,16]. The proximity of elections often influences these responses, with governments toughening their stance on activism to appeal to conservative voters concerned about economic stability and job security in resource-dependent regions [17].

The Global Trend in International Climate Conferences

While the political orientation of governing parties and proximity to elections may play a role, the trend of criminalizing and suppressing climate protests is evident across the political spectrum and beyond national borders. At recent COP climate conferences, civil society organizations and activists have faced increasing restrictions and limited access, reducing  their ability to advocate for urgent climate action [18]. This trend has raised concerns among activists and NGOs about the diminishing role of grassroots voices in international climate policy discussions and the erosion of civil liberties globally [19,20].

The United Nations has criticized the widespread suppression of climate activism by governments around the world. While recognizing that authorities must uphold laws and maintain public order, the UN has emphasized that climate activists fulfill a vital function by advocating for urgently needed environmental reforms. The UN maintains that these activists should have their rights safeguarded rather than face criminalization or excessive restrictions on their ability to protest and raise awareness. Their stance attempts to strike a balance between respecting nations’ law enforcement duties and protecting the civil liberties that enable climate advocacy movements to operate [17,21].

Conclusion: The Crackdown on our Future

Despite widespread public concern about climate change, climate activism is being met with harsh measures by governments across the political spectrum. This crackdown raises concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and the ability of citizens to effectively hold governments and corporations accountable for their environmental policies and actions. As the climate crisis intensifies, the suppression of climate activism through legal and authoritarian means could lead to a bleak future, where the voices of those advocating for urgent climate action are silenced, and the interests of fossil fuel industries and economic stability take precedence over environmental concerns. To avoid this disastrous outcome, governments must uphold civil liberties and take concerted action on climate change, recognising that such action is ultimately in the long-term best interest of all. 

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