Our story
We are Environmental Justice Australia.
We're a public interest legal organisation for a radically better world.
We exist because the challenges are vast, and the time to act is now.
We believe the law is a powerful tool, and we're not afraid to use it.
We partner with communities at the frontlines to deliver environmental justice.
We transform industries. We make governments more responsible. We crystallise risk for companies and shareholders. We make communities safer and fairer. We support First Nations fighting for Country and Culture. We protect our climate. We keep our forests standing.
For more than 30 years, we've delivered justice for nature and people
We use a unique combination of public interest litigation and legal advocacy campaigns to hold power to account.
We seek justice for creatures and communities. For this beautiful continent we call home. For everyone who comes next.
What do we do?
We run landmark court cases
We set game-changing precedents to change the systems that are fuelling destruction and injustice
We use strategic legal interventions
We run powerful legal campaigns to investigate, expose and address pressing environmental justice issues.
We advocate for better laws
We fix flaws in our legal system, push for better policies and improve the way laws are made and enforced.
We help people have a say
We empower communities to access information, challenge decisions and participate in our democracy.
We're a bold, innovative and impactful public interest organisation.
Explore more of our game-changing legal work.
Our vision
Our vision is a legal system that delivers environmental justice for communities and protects and regenerates nature.
This looks like an Australia where:
- First Nations people lead and are recognised for their vital role caring for Country.
- Communities are empowered to participate in decision-making and have access to justice
- Our laws, policies and institutions enable people and nature to thrive, today and tomorrow.
Our values
Public interest legal work is about creating lasting change. We take on powerful interests, navigate complexity and work alongside communities to build a fairer future. Our values keep us grounded in who we are, what we stand for and how we work.
Justice: We pursue justice for people and nature.
Justice is why we're here. We stand alongside communities and use the law to hold governments and corporations to account. We believe the people most affected by environmental harm should have a say in the decisions that affect them.
Justice is why we exist.
Collaboration: We create change together.
We work alongside communities, clients, partners and each other – building relationships based on trust and shared purpose. We listen, share what we know and back one another because lasting change is something we create together.
Collaboration is how we work.
Integrity: We do what's right.
We act with honesty, humility and accountability. We follow through on our commitments, treat everyone with dignity and respect, and are willing to reflect, learn and own our mistakes. We do what's right, even when it's hard.
Integrity is how we behave.
Courage: We choose courage.
We take on difficult challenges because they matter. We ask hard questions, challenge powerful interests and speak up when it matters. We take thoughtful risks, back each other and keep going, knowing meaningful change takes time.
Courage is how we act with purpose.
Hope: We create hope through action.
Hope isn’t something we wait for – it’s something we create together. Through action, care and persistence, we celebrate progress, learn as we go and support each other to keep building the future we want to see.
Hope keeps us moving forward.
The challenges are vast. The time to act is now.
We believe the law is a powerful tool to create a radically better world.
Some highlights of our impact
Our history
For more than 30 years, we have delivered environmental justice for nature and the community.
We started out as a government-funded community legal centre. Now we are a game-changing, community-powered national organisation.
Back when we were the Victorian Environment Defenders Office, we provided legal advice and representation to hundreds of people and community groups fighting to protect our land, air and water.
Then in 2014, when our government funding was cut, we saw an opportunity to build a new kind of public interest legal organisation. We knew the law can be a powerful enabler of social change – but also a powerful blocker.
We built our capacity to drive systemic change where the law falls short with compelling advocacy campaigns and expanded our work to other parts of Australia.
Now, we are Environmental Justice Australia.
We carry forward a proud legacy of working with the community to fight for environmental justice as we tackle the most pressing issues of our time.
In recent years, we pioneered climate risk litigation globally, filing the world’s first legal action against a superannuation fund for failing to adequately consider climate change risks.
Our game-changing court cases to stop logging in ancient native forests and threatened wildlife habitat prompted Bunnings to ban the sale of native timbers and forced governments to end logging in Victoria’s old-growth forests.
Our national clean air campaign put the health impacts of coal pollution on the map, initiating Parliamentary Inquiries and driving vital law and policy reforms to protect community.
Make a difference
The challenges we face are vast.
The time to push for action, transparency and large-scale system change is now.
Our financials
We are committed to transparency, accountability and sound financial management.
We encourage you to investigate our track record.
Join us
The law is a powerful tool to disrupt the status quo and make governments and corporations accountable.
Join us and let's build a radically better world.
