Help us defend Australia's environment and climate defenders
We represent the people, communities, and grassroots organisations who act to protect land, water, oceans, forests, ecosystems, climate, biodiversity, and culture heritage from environmental harm.
Your support funds free legal services for frontline defenders including those facing arrest, fines, and prison — for standing up for nature and our planet.
Why your support matters
Throughout Australia, peaceful defenders are being charged under increasingly harsh anti-protest laws for trying to advocate and protect nature, and raise awareness of the impacts of climate change.
Climate Defenders Australia provides advice, and legal representation and other services, including community legal education and resources.
We are entirely independent — we receive no government funding. That independence is what allows us to stand firmly on the side of defenders.
None of this is possible without people like you.
Make a donation
CDA is an Australian registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible.
Every dollar you give goes directly to funding free legal services for climate and environmental defenders throughout Australia — people facing serious charges for standing up for our planet.
Since opening in July 2025, we have taken on close to 400 cases nationwide. Your support will help us take on more cases and develop more resources for defenders.
One-time giving a one-off gift of any amount makes a real difference to defenders who need us right now.
Monthly giving a regular monthly gift is the most powerful way to support our work. It means we can plan ahead, grow our impact, and be there for defenders consistently.
Prefer to give by bank transfer?
Email us or call +61 (02) 8044 4870 and we'll provide our direct bank details and issue a receipt.
Become a funding partner
Philanthropic partnerships, grants, and major gifts are critical to what we do. This kind of support helps us grow our team, and enables us to scale our services to meet the escalating needs of defenders.
If your foundation has a specific focus area, we'd welcome the opportunity to explore how our work aligns with your mission.
Partnership with CDA means:
- Direct, measurable impact on frontline legal cases
- Supporting strategic human rights litigation of national and international significance
- Contribution to an innovative first-of-its-kind legal service and infrastructure
- Support for the democratic right to climate and environmental protest in Australia
- Alignment with a rapidly growing, independent organisation with a proven track record
International donors
In the current geopolitical context, what happens in Australia has global implications. Our work on protest law, constitutional rights, and defender protection contributes to the international movement for climate and environmental justice.
We welcome enquiries from international funders who want to support us. Please get in touch to discuss how we can work together.
Climate Defenders Australia has a US 501(c)3 equivalency determination.
A note on our services and fees
CDA's legal services are always low cost or free for individual defenders — your inability to pay will never affect your access to our help.
In limited circumstances, we may receive a fee from organisations we work with. This, alongside donations, helps us extend our reach and support more defenders.
If you are a current client: any donation you make to CDA is entirely voluntary and has absolutely no bearing on the legal services, we provide to you.
By giving today, you can help protect and advance the rights of frontline environmental and climate defenders. Your support helps us fight for the right for the next generation of defenders to do the same.