About us

Pacific Environment envisions a just and healthy future for all communities and ecosystems. With staff across the Pacific Rim, we confront the most urgent environmental issues by connecting local and global movements, catalyzing policy change and inspiring action for the benefit of people and our planet. Together, we promote a healthy climate, reduce pollution and conserve biodiversity for an equitable and thriving future.

From local city council meetings to the highest levels of international negotiations, Pacific Environment provides local leaders with the support and knowledge needed to ensure a just and healthy future for all communities and ecosystems.

Our approach to change

Our work is guided by values and principles that shape every campaign, partnership and decision we make.

  1. Building power for systemic change
    From grassroots to global, we partner with communities to build power for justice and systems change.
  2. Relying on evidence-based solutions for the planet
    We catalyze change through people-powered advocacy and by grounding our work in science and traditional, Indigenous and local knowledge.
  3. Prioritizing collaborative relationships, coalition building and partnerships
    We strive to build trusted relationships through coalitions and partnerships grounded in care, creativity and collaboration.
  4. Making transformative, long-term impacts
    We have the ambition, strategies and expertise to overcome significant challenges and make transformative, sustainable impacts.

Driving environmental solutions around the Pacific Rim

Since 1980, Pacific Environment has been at the forefront of environmental victories building from local action to international policies. Originally founded as the Golden Gate Energy Center, we changed our name to Pacific Environment in 1993 to better reflect our growing presence in countries across the Pacific Rim. 

For more than four decades, we have helped lead efforts from the local level to the global in campaigns and initiatives to end plastic pollution, protect critical ecosystems and biodiversity and take action to stop climate change.

What began as a small initiative to save old growth forests and support local communities trying to prevent environmental destruction in areas of Russia, Asia and the Arctic, has grown into a global effort linking community leaders, environmental experts and advocates working to safeguards a just and healthy future.

Where we work

Arctic

In the Arctic, Pacific Environment partners with Indigenous communities and local leaders to protect fragile ecosystems and advance renewable energy. From Alaska’s coastlines to global policy spaces, we support community-led solutions that confront rising temperatures, protect marine wildlife and reduce pollution from ships and other ocean-going vessels.

Explore our work in the Arctic

Asia

We partner with local organizations, coalitions, agencies, ports and businesses in China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Our work supports and amplifies regional leadership and initiatives–from pioneering zero waste cities and plastic reduction, to advancing marine protected areas, to catalyzing clean energy expansion and green maritime shipping.

Explore our work in Asia

North America

In the United States, we work in West Coast port cities like Los Angeles and Seattle, communities along the New York/New Jersey area and regions at the heart of the climate and energy transition. We focus on reducing industrial emissions, partnering with frontline communities and engaging labor groups to influence policy at all levels of government.

Explore our work in North America

Our approaches

We work regionally and think globally, uniting every effort around our mission: confronting the most urgent environmental issues for the benefit of people and our planet. Our focus areas define what we stand for, and our approaches show how we make that change happen.

Explore the strategy behind our work
  • Elevating local leadership

    We connect communities and regional partners with the resources, networks and support they need to influence decisions, protect their lands and waters, and drive environmental and social change from the ground up.

  • Holding corporations accountable

    We engage and challenge industries to adopt sustainable practices, reduce emissions and center the voices of communities most affected by pollution.

  • Advancing evidence-based policy

    We translate evidence and community voice into actionable policies that safeguard people, ecosystems and regional and global environmental standards.

  • Implementing transformative solutions

    We put strategies into action by scaling effective initiatives, sharing best practices and coordinating across regions to deliver measurable benefits for people and the planet.

  • Mobilizing campaigns and communications

    We design and execute campaigns that inform, inspire and drive action, translating complex environmental issues into compelling stories that amplify solutions and build collective impact.

Our partners

Our strength lies in the people and movements we work with. We collaborate with hundreds of grassroots organizations, regional coalitions and global alliances to build a just and sustainable future. Whether it is stopping new fossil fuel terminals, banning single-use plastics or restoring coastal ecosystems, we work closely with partners to lead the way forward together.

We are proud to build, lead and support:

  • Regional grassroots networks across Asia and North America
  • Global alliances advancing zero waste and clean energy
  • Our partners that shape our strategies, drive our campaigns and share in every victory
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