The Estonian Green Movement is a non-governmental, non-profit environmental organisation and was one of the first environmental organisations in Estonia to deal with a wide range of environmental and developmental issues.

Our first campaign was against the opening of a large phosphorite mine in North East Estonia, which would have caused irreversible damage to ground water, forest and marine ecological systems. As a result of this successful campaign, the Estonian Green Movement rapidly developed into a nationwide grassroots organisation.

Subsequently, we earned credit as a leader in the Estonian independence movement. In our activities, the Estonian Green Movement is backed by a nationwide active network of some 300 individual members.

The Estonian Green Movement currently focuses on environmental problems brought by independence. We have become one of the most influential environmental groups in Estonia, advocating for the environmental needs of Estonia’s inhabitants. The Estonian Green Movement- endeavours to respond to regional environmental problems brought about by political and social changes, and to protect Estonian natural resources at grassroots, national, and international levels.

Our activities are carried out in the framework of seven working groups that deal with the following issues:

  • Energy
  • Sustainable consumption
  • Transport
  • Water
  • Youth

An important part of our activities has been related to the protection of the Baltic Sea environment, as, since 1990, ERL has been a member of the Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB).  Within the frame of CCB cooperation a lot of publications have been translated into Estonian and many international as well as national seminars, conferences and other educational activities related to the CCB priority areas have been organised in Estonia (see more on www.ccb.se).

The bike tours, clean up camps, workshops and other types of activities organised by EGM have involved a broad spectrum of society from children and students to national environmental experts.

In addition to the working groups, more specific projects are undertaken, such as assessing the possible impacts of large-scale infrastructure investment projects by the European Union and International Financial Institutions.