On 21-24 April, 2026, Club de Madrid participated in the Fourth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP4) of the Escazú Agreement, held in Nassau, Bahamas — a key milestone in advancing environmental democracy in the region.
Our contribution was led by our Advisor Allyson Maynard-Gibson and WYDE Member Gomin Camacho, who brought forward critical perspectives on the protection of environmental human rights defenders and the need to embed gender equality at the core of implementation efforts.
Advancing a Gender-Responsive Escazú Agreement
“Mainstreaming a gender perspective in the Escazú Agreement is not optional: it is an imperative. Women are on the front lines of environmental protection, yet they continue to face risks, exclusion and violence; our commitment must translate into real protection.”
— Allyson Maynard-Gibson
“Protecting women human rights defenders cannot remain a matter of rhetoric: it requires safe shelters, guarantees of privacy, psychosocial support, and direct funding for women-led initiatives.”
— Allyson Maynard-Gibson
Discussions highlighted that environmental governance cannot be effective without recognizing the disproportionate risks faced by women defenders. Participants stressed the importance of moving from commitments to concrete protection mechanisms that ensure safety, inclusion and sustained support.
Protecting Defenders and Strengthening Community-Centered Action
“On this International Mother Earth Day, we celebrate Mother Earth and reaffirm that caring for the planet is not an option, but a shared responsibility that calls on all of us to transform the way we relate to nature.”
— Gomin Camacho
“Protecting the environment also means protecting those who defend it. In a region where environmental defenders face high risks, we must ensure that the transition to a sustainable economy leaves no one behind and that communities are central to the decisions that affect their territories.”
— Gomin Camacho
These contributions underscored a central message: environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. Ensuring the safety and participation of defenders is essential to achieving sustainable and inclusive development.
From Commitment to Implementation
As emphasized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), COP4 concluded with key decisions aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Escazú Agreement across the region.
Building on this momentum, Club de Madrid reaffirmed its strong commitment to working alongside international partners, governments and civil society to advance the Agreement’s implementation. This includes supporting the development and strengthening of normative frameworks that guarantee environmental defenders can carry out their work free from violence and with full protection.
A central priority remains the integration of a gender perspective — ensuring that women defenders benefit from safe environments, recognition and effective, sustained support.
At COP4, the message was clear: advancing environmental democracy requires not only stronger frameworks, but also tangible action to protect those at the forefront of defending our planet.
