Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands) is working toward a fair and sustainable world. We believe that if we share the earth’s resources fairly, put an end to pollution and take from the earth only what it can regenerate itself, prosperity is achievable for one and all: for us, for all of humanity, for now and for future generations.
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For more information, please get in touch with our Press Officers, +31 20 5507333 or +31 (0) 646851137 or send an email to press@foenl.org
Photo: Donald Pols talking to the press after Shell Climate Case Verdict. Bart Hoogveld for Milieudefensie.
Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands) was founded in 1971, when there were very few environmental laws on the books. It was not even an available course of study at universities. In 1972 we became an association. We contributed to the growing environmental awareness and still contribute to Climate Action for justice in the Netherlands and the world.
Today over 110.000 supporters and 2,000 active volunteers contribute to our campaigns. They are also involved in the decision-making process.
Read more about our history
Photo: Over 12.000 people demonstrated against the expension of Schiphol Airport in 1995. Michiel Wijnbergh for Milieudefensie
Milieudefensie (Friends of the Earth Netherlands) is an association. Every day we work towards a sustainable and fair world. A major part of our work consists of mobilising and organising people into a powerful movement to accelerate the transition to a sustainable and just system. We do this together with citizens, movements, organisations, businesses and governments that also want this shift.
200.000 changemakers play a major role in all of our campaigns. They are the main reason we have achieved so much already. Changemakers support us with time and/or money. The contributions of our members and donors provide for the majority of our funding (61%).
Our youth organization, JMA (Young Friends of the Earth the Netherlands), encourages younger people up to the age of 28 to get involved in Milieudefensie campaigns.
Big environmental problems like climate change don’t just stop being a problem at the border. That is why Milieudefensie works within an international framework as well as at the grassroots level, often working directly with citizens. We do this mainly in cooperation with the European and international Friends of the Earth networks.
Photo: Marten van Dijl for Milieudefensie.