PACIFIC ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCES CENTER

“I studied chemistry and was ready to go to work for a big chemical manufacturing company, but Pacific Environment’s leaders inspired me to start a nonprofit to protect our rivers from chemical pollution!”
— Zhou Xiang, former executive director of “Green Anhui” in China

Founded in 1987, Pacific Environment supports community leaders to fight climate change, protect the oceans, build just societies, and move away from fossil fuels toward a green economy.

In 2024, we supported local partners with more than $1 million in grants, expert trainings and skill-building workshops, as well as travel stipends to advocate for change at national and international venues.

We tap the creativity of local leaders to produce community-based solutions. We nurture the growth of these leaders, connect them to each other, increase their skills, collaborate with them on campaigns, and fund their activities.

As a result, these leaders and their organizations mobilize citizens in their communities to gain access to information, secure citizen participation in government decisions, and enforce corporate violations in court. We also bring grassroots concerns, and whenever possible grassroots leaders, to national and international venues to advocate policy solutions that reflect community needs and values.

We are particularly proud of the reputation we have developed as an organization that works with great sensitivity with local partners in a wide array of cultures and in sensitive, unpredictable political circumstances.

“I’m grateful that Pacific Environment succeeded in requiring ship captains to avoid marine mammals—a huge protection for these animals, as well as Native communities.”
— Eduard Zdor, Arctic Indigenous activist

We couldn’t do what we do without the generous support of people like you. Thank you!

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Our Projects

Protecting Arctic Wildlife and Traditions
The Arctic Ocean ecosystem is one of the most fragile on earth. We are advocating a network of protective areas and other measures to keep whales, walruses, seals, birds, and other wildlife safe from increasing ship traffic and other industrial activities following rapidly melting sea ice. We also support Arctic Indigenous efforts to protect subsistence and cultural traditions that depend on a healthy marine environment.

Safeguarding Our Climate
The shipping industry is a major and largely unregulated climate polluter. We are leading an international coalition to pressure the industry to stop using fossil fuels and get clean ships on sea as quickly as possible. Our Ship It Zero campaign helped secure a market-shaping commitment from Amazon, IKEA, Unilever, and other retail giants to move their products off fossil-fueled ships by 2040. This is the most ambitious commitment in global shipping yet, and it promises to unlock billions in investments in zero emission ships and clean energy infrastructure at ports. We will keep up the pressure to secure faster, bolder action. We think we can get clean ships on sea by 2030.

Ending Plastic Pollution
Asia accounts for 2/3 of ocean trash; and Big Oil is the driving force behind plastic production. We fund and train grassroots activists in China and Vietnam to push for plastic bans, help communities reduce their waste, and pressure companies to stop using plastic packaging. We also challenge Big Oil’s planned expansion of plastics production to offset falling profits from fossil fuels.

Building People Power
Given the tools, local people can be strong and effective environmental champions. We collaborate with community activists to advocate for clean air, clean water, and people’s rights. By helping grassroots leaders protect their communities from environmental harm, we also help them build more robust civil societies and strengthen the rule of law.