From Pride Month celebrations in the Philippines to a massive banner in Spain, here are a few of our favourite images from Greenpeace’s work around the world this week.

Philippines – Greenpeace activists and volunteers joined the lively celebrations Saturday, June 28, during the annual “LoveLaban” Pride Festival at UP Diliman Campus in Quezon City.

The environmental organization was there to celebrate pride and courage for the environment, to highlight the intersection of queer rights and climate justice, and protest the lack of accountability for those who contribute most to climate disasters: giant oil and gas corporations. Meanwhile, the vulnerabilities of marginalized communities are magnified by extreme weather events, such as when queer individuals are deprived of basic recovery services because of their sexual orientation or gender identities.

This is the fourth year in a row Greenpeace Philippines joined the biggest Pride event in Southeast Asia. This year, the group enjoined LGBTQIA+ advocates and allies to lend their voices to global calls for governments to make polluting corporations pay, through Greenpeace’s worldwide signature collection drive, the Polluters Pay Pact.

Spain – Activists from Greenpeace Spain today covered the iconic Setas de Sevilla monument with a massive banner, displaying the message: “They are destroying the planet. And you are paying for it.”

The action marked the first day of the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development Conference (FfD4), where Greenpeace is calling on world leaders to push for ambitious commitments to fair new global rules on tax and debt, and to hold billionaires and fossil polluters accountable for the climate change they cause.

Netherlands – Greenpeace Netherlands activists hang a large banner reading ‘Don’t Go Deep with Trump’ on the front of Allseas’ office building in Delft, while others place a giant octopus in front of the office. The protest urges the company to reject deep-sea mining and stop working with the US government.

UK – Leading environmental and human rights groups – Amnesty International UK, Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace and Liberty – launch a nationwide advertising campaign to stand up for the right to protest. The campaign features videos of real protesters on a range of issues holding placards that say ‘I’m protesting in here to avoid arrest out there’. The protesters appear on digital billboards clustered in popular shopping areas in London, Birmingham and Manchester, given free to the campaign as the prize in Ocean Outdoor’s annual Digital Creative Competition.

Netherlands – People gather outside the New Amsterdam Courthouse holding a banner reading “Energy Transfer, Welcome To The EU Where Free Speech Is Still A Thing” to mark the beginning of Greenpeace International’s anti-SLAPP lawsuit against fossil fuel pipeline company Energy Transfer filed in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Greenpeace has been a pioneer of photo activism for more than 50 years, and remains committed to bearing witness and exposing environmental injustice through the images we capture.

To see more Greenpeace photos and videos, please visit our Media Library.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – Leaders at the BRICS Summit have a responsibility to reinforce multilateralism and deliver an urgent signal they are prepared to act on the global challenges of climate change and nature protection.

Less than two weeks after the Bonn Climate Change Conference was marred by a lack of urgency and as G7 leaders tiptoed around the need for climate action, BRICS leaders have an obligation to move ahead with urgent climate action on the road to COP30 in Brazil – including accelerating the COP28 decision to transition away from fossil fuels to align their climate action plans with the 1.5°C goal. 

Anna Carcamo, Climate Politics Specialist, Greenpeace Brazil said: “All eyes are on Brazil this year as the BRICS and COP30 host. This is a seismic opportunity to drive bold, collaborative Global South leadership. BRICS nations, several of which are among the most climate vulnerable, must seize this moment and take a decisive stand for people and the planet.

“The BRICs can lead climate action with strong 2035 climate action plans and Brazil has a responsibility to steer them to higher ambition, ensuring an accelerated transition away from fossil fuels and pushing forward to end deforestation through a transformative forest outcome at COP30 in the Amazon.”

Yao Zhe, Global Policy Adviser, Greenpeace East Asia said: “The BRICS agenda has always placed global development at its core. However, amid major economic and geopolitical challenges, ecological degradation is threatening the foundations of future prosperity and undermining development potential.

“It is crucial therefore that the BRICS evolves into a positive force for strengthening global environmental and climate governance by offering joint leadership and innovative solutions. As a founding member of BRICS, China plays a particularly important role in this endeavour.”

Koaile Monaheng, Pan African Political Strategist, Greenpeace Africa said: “In a year as the G20 host, South Africa also needs to live up to its global responsibilities and a good place to start is ratifying the global oceans treaty and pushing other BRICS members to do the same. But responsible leadership also starts at home and South Africa must push ahead with an ambitious 2035 climate action plan to set the scene for climate finance talks at COP30.”

Rayhan Dudayev, Forest Solution Political Lead, Greenpeace Southeast Asia said: “The world is watching for Global South leadership that strengthens multilateralism, centres climate justice and puts community-based solutions at the heart of climate action and finance. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities protect over one-third of the world’s forests, but receive only 1 % of global climate finance. The Brazilian-led Tropical Forests Forever Facility is an opportunity to strengthen forest protection and halt deforestation if it ensures robust monitoring and full participation of frontline communities.”

Abigail Aguilar, Global Plastics Campaign Manager, Greenpeace USA said: “A strong Global Plastics Treaty that cuts plastic production and provides a pathway for sustainable development in the Global South could provide a defining signal that BRICS nations are listening to the most affected in the developing countries and are ready to step up where others have faltered.

“With the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations on the horizon in Geneva, BRICS nations must commit to an ambitious agreement that will cut plastic production, secure finance and technology needed for a just transition and protect our people, climate and the planet.”

Mariana Andrade, Ocean Campaigner, Greenpeace Brazil said: “The High Seas Treaty’s ratification is within touching distance and Global South leadership has helped drive forward this crucial agreement. But ahead of the next International Seabed Authority meeting, we are watching whether that leadership extends to defending the ocean from unilateral deep sea mining.

“Reckless exploitation of the deep sea would betray the principles of multilateralism that BRICS countries must champion. This is a moment where they must commit to international law, science-based decision-making and the common heritage of humankind.”

ENDS

Contacts:

Aaron Gray-Block, Climate Politics Communications Manager, Greenpeace International, aaron.gray-block@greenpeace.org

Lais Modelli, Media Coordinator, Greenpeace Brasil +55 14 981279058, lais.modelli@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org 

Pula, Croatia – Greenpeace Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) activists from six countries have climbed 135 meters (the height of a skyscraper) up a towering fossil gas installation platform known as a Jackup rig, to stage a protest in Pula on the Croatian Adriatic Sea. They unfurled two banners saying “Stop Gas” and “Start Future”, illustrated with solar and wind energy. Greenpeace is calling for an immediate ban on all new fossil fuel projects in the European Union and a fossil gas phase-out by 2035 through a swift, fair transition to renewable energy.

Photos and videos are available in the Greenpeace Media Library.

As a record-breaking heatwave is sweeping across Croatia and much of Europe and North Africa, activists from Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Poland, Germany and Slovenia climbed up the platform at the port of Pula before unfurling their 45-metre long banners. This action comes just days after the first legal step in the groundbreaking anti-SLAPP case to protect freedom of expression and stop abusive lawsuits initiated by Greenpeace International in the EU, after US oil company Energy Transfer’s attempt to silence the organisation.

Eszter Matyas,  Greenpeace CEE campaigner with the European Fossil-Free Future campaign said: “No matter how hard fossil fuel companies try to silence us, we will keep fighting their destructive business. Europe is the fastest-warming continent, and fossil gas is fuelling that crisis. Today, we’re taking a stand at a pivotal site: a facility used to explore and develop new gas drilling projects in the Adriatic. No matter where it comes from, fossil gas is driving us deeper into climate chaos. We have a message to EU leaders: stop greenlighting new fossil gas infrastructure. Phase out fossil gas by 2035.”

Petra Andrić, Greenpeace Croatia climate campaigner, added: “Floods, heatwaves and wildfires are sweeping the globe as the oil and gas industry drives us deeper into the climate crisis. Croatia must stop funding outdated fossil fuel infrastructure and invest in solar, wind, energy storage and energy efficiency. Every delay tightens our dependence on dirty, dangerous fuel and makes the transition more difficult and expensive. We’re fighting for a greener, fairer future with clean, sustainable energy for all. That future starts now.”

Greenpeace’s Fossil-Free Future campaign is currently on an expedition across Europe with the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise to spark debate about Europe’s energy system and question its dependence on fossil gas. Campaigners are confronting the fossil fuel industry and promoting a fair phase-out of fossil gas, through a just transition to renewable energy that allows everyone to meet their energy needs at a decent price, without harming people, the planet or the environment.[1] In March, the Arctic Sunrise was in Belgium to denounce how Europe’s reliance on fossil gas fuels geopolitical instability, while leaving households burdened with skyrocketing energy costs. Last week in Italy as the latest European heatwave began, activists protested the toxic alliance on fossil gas between US President Trump and Italy Prime Minister Meloni.

ENDS

Photos and videos are available in the Greenpeace Media Library.

Notes:

[1] Greenpeace is gathering support for a ban on all new fossil gas -and fossil fuel- infrastructure projects in the EU. The Fossil-Free Future campaign’s Open Letter to the EU and national governments has already gathered 82.000 signatures.

Contacts:

Manon Laudy, Press Officer, Fossil-Free Future Campaign, Greenpeace Netherlands, +336 49 15 69 83, mlaudy@greenpeace.org

Greenpeace International Press Desk, +31 (0)20 718 2470 (available 24 hours), pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org

Within Taiwan’s Indigenous communities, an environmental friendly tradition persists: in times of more extensive cultivation, farmers would plant extra millet, generously leaving a portion of the harvest for the birds. This seemingly small act of kindness is a vital lifeline for these fragile creatures.

However, as the shadow of climate change lengthens, extreme weather erodes farmlands, and rural populations dwindle, the once widespread golden millet fields are rapidly vanishing, taking with them the sparrows that once freely flitted through them. The intertwined fate of these species underscores a deeper truth: supporting Indigenous knowledge and ways of life is not only a matter of cultural preservation, but also a crucial step in safeguarding Taiwan’s biodiversity.

Once a common sight in Taiwan’s mountain villages, the Russet Sparrow now teeters on the brink of extinction, its numbers plummeting to a staggering low of under a thousand in the last two decades. Despite a slight recent recovery, the total population likely remains below 2,000, facing imminent disappearance from Taiwan’s lands. A combination of issues is converging, placing the sparrow at risk of endangerment.

• Rapid Loss of Habitat: Relentless deforestation and land development are steadily depriving the natural tree cavities where Russet Sparrows build their nests. These cavity-nesting birds are struggling to reproduce due to homelessness.
• The Impact of Climate Change: Taiwan’s millet fields, once essential for the Russet Sparrow, are now at risk due to rising temperatures and extreme weather, leading to the loss of farmlands and a decline in the birds’ food sources.
• The Harmful Effects of Pesticide: As Russet Sparrows forage in agricultural areas, they face growing exposure to harmful herbicides and pesticides, which directly threaten their survival and disrupt their food sources.
• The Decline of Millet Farming: Greenpeace’s data shows a troubling link between the sharp decrease in millet fields in Pingtung County and the rapid drop in Russet Sparrow populations. The loss of these fields represents not just a loss of food crops, but also a blow to biodiversity and Indigenous cultural traditions.

The millet fields of Taiwan’s Indigenous communities used to be vibrant ecosystems, where diverse wildlife thrived in harmony. Today, such abundant scenes have become exceedingly rare treasures in Taiwan’s natural landscape.

In Pingtung County’s Wutai, Sandimen, and Majia Townships, once strongholds of millet farming, production has plummeted by a staggering 93% in just over a decade, while farmland has shrunk by an equally devastating 94%. Adding to this tragedy, Indigenous farmers who recognize the gravity of the situation and are dedicated to reviving millet and protecting the land and its dependent wildlife often find themselves unable to access vital government payment of ecosystem services (PES). The current payment for ecosystem services payment scheme overlooks the crucial role of millet cultivation in maintaining biodiversity. This policy oversight fails to support these important ecosystem stewards and hinders the protection of biodiversity. 

Small step for Project Successes, Continued Advocacy for Millet Farmers and Ecosystems

On Taiwan’s 2024 Indigenous Peoples Day, the dedicated volunteer team of Greenpeace’s Community Outreach Campaign (COC) joined hands with Indigenous community partners to deliver a heartfelt petition and handcrafted millet artwork to the government. Deputy Director-General Lin Haozhen of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency accepted this urgent plea from the grassroots, promising to consider Greenpeace’s policy recommendations and initiate active discussions and studies with relevant government agencies.

Greenpeace firmly believes that saving millet is synonymous with saving Taiwan’s biodiversity and protecting the very foundation of Indigenous cultures. We urgently call upon the Taiwanese government to:

1. Integrate Indigenous traditional millet cultivation into national agricultural curricula, fostering the next generation of skilled farmers and ensuring the transmission of invaluable ancestral knowledge and techniques.
2. Broaden the scope of PES, fully including Indigenous millet cultivation as an eligible practice, recognizing the vital contributions of these farmers in protecting the Russet Sparrow and its habitat, and incentivizing widespread adoption of environmentally friendly farming methods.

Each grain of millet carries the wisdom of generations; each millet field is a precious ecological oasis. Now is the time for decisive and impactful action. We must stand in solidarity with the Indigenous farmers on the frontlines of environmental protection in Taiwan, rescuing the endangered Russet Sparrow and safeguarding our shared home. This is not just about specific species or cultures; it is about ourselves, about the vibrant web of life that sustains Taiwan.

Cheril Chiang is a community outreach campaigner, Bill Chou is a content writer, Claudia Lim Nian Earn is an intern, and Coco Wu is a researcher – they are with Greenpeace East Asia, Taiwan