Colourful photo montage shows Greenpeace activists and volunteers at work, along with wildlife like polar bears, whales and orangutans.

About Greenpeace

Greenpeace defends the natural world from destruction. We transform politics, industry and society to create a greener and fairer world.

Our movement

Ordinary people doing extraordinary things

Together we’re working to build a greener, more peaceful world, where no one is left behind.

We target those driving the crises we face.

Then we use our toolbox of tactics to expose and undermine their power.

We transform politics, industry and society to create a greener and fairer world.

We’re not paid or swayed by any government or corporation.

Together we show up, we stand up, and we get things done.

And we’ll do it again tomorrow.

Our vision

A world where everyone has equal access to clean air, water and energy; where the nature we love is protected, precious habitats are restored and communities are united by ambitious climate action.


Our mission

To halve emissions and restore biodiversity by the end of this decade in a fair and equitable way.

Strategy

Greenpeace UK’s plan to win

Read the full strategic plan outlining Greenpeace’s guiding principles, the pathway to change, and our plan to make it happen.

History

A few key moments from Greenpeace’s history.

1971

Founding of Greenpeace

A small group of activists sail from Vancouver towards Amchitka Island, Alaska, to protest US nuclear weapons testing. This voyage marks the birth of Greenpeace.

1972-1974

Early anti-nuclear campaigns

Greenpeace gains international attention for protests against nuclear bomb tests in Alaska and later in the Pacific.

1975

First anti-whaling campaign

Activists confront Soviet whalers in the North Pacific. Iconic images of rubber dinghies between harpoons and whales capture global headlines.

1977

Greenpeace arrives in the UK

Greenpeace UK is founded, opening its first office in London to support global anti-whaling and anti-sealing campaigns.

1985

Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior

French secret service agents bomb Greenpeace’s flagship, the Rainbow Warrior, in Auckland Harbour, killing photographer Fernando Pereira. The ship had been preparing to protest French nuclear tests.

1995

Brent Spar victory

Greenpeace UK activists occupy the Brent Spar oil platform to stop Shell’s plan to sink it at sea. Massive public pressure forces Shell to dismantle it on land instead, setting a precedent for oil industry decommissioning.

2006

Kingsnorth coal plant shutdown

Greenpeace UK climbers shut down Kingsnorth coal-fired power station in Kent, kicking off a decade-long campaign to consign this climate wrecking fossil fuel to history.

2013

Arctic 30

Russian authorities seize the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise and detain 28 activists and two journalists – later dubbed the “Arctic 30” – after a peaceful protest against Arctic oil drilling at a Gazprom oil platform. The incident sparks global outrage and a huge solidarity movement.

2021

Greenpeace turns 50

Greenpeace celebrates 50 years since its founding voyage.

2022

Global Ocean Treaty

Countries agree a strong Global Ocean Treaty following over 30 years of campaigning from Greenpeace and others. The treaty has been described as one of the greatest conservation victories in history.