urgewald

Urgewald e.V. is a German non-profit environmental and human rights organization based in Sassenberg with an additional branch in Berlin. Founded in 1992 by Heffa Schücking, Urgewald has been advocating for environmental protection and the preservation of human rights for over 30 years.

The main mission of Urgewald is to act as an advocate for environment and human rights. The focus is on critically accompanying German economic and development policy, particularly regarding the social, ecological, and economic consequences of projects supported by export credits, Hermes guarantees, and other financing mechanisms. Urgewald advocates for transparency and accountability by exposing the role of financiers such as banks, insurers, and investors in funding environmental and human rights violations.

Urgewald is known for its comprehensive research and campaigns aimed at drawing attention to critical sectors such as the arms trade, nuclear power plants, the coal industry, and the oil and gas sector. Notable projects include:

• Global Coal Exit List (GCEL): A database listing the largest coal companies worldwide, helping financial service providers make informed divestment decisions[1][2][5].
• Coal Plant Developers List: A list of key companies developing coal power plants to hinder financing for these projects[1].
• Global Oil and Gas Exit List (GOGEL): A comprehensive database covering 95% of global oil and gas production, assisting financial institutions in accelerating the exit from fossil fuels[5].

Urgewald's work focuses on combating environmental destruction and human rights violations through targeted campaigns and research. Some of the most significant successes include:

• Divestment Campaigns: Urgewald has played a key role in ensuring that the Norwegian Government Pension Fund and major insurance companies like Axa and Allianz withdrew their investments from the coal industry[1][2].
• Criticism of Financing: By exposing financing that supports environmental and human rights violations, Urgewald pressures banks, investors, and insurers to change their financing practices[1][3][5].

Urgewald's strategy is based on thorough research and direct confrontation with those responsible in companies and institutions. By mobilizing affected individuals and collaborating with other non-governmental organizations, Urgewald succeeds in exerting pressure on decision-makers and bringing about significant changes[2][3].

With their dedicated and effective work, Urgewald tirelessly advocates for the protection of the environment and the preservation of human rights, and their initiatives have already had far-reaching impacts on global finance and energy policy.

• 1 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urgewald
• 2 - https://www.urgewald.org/who-we-are-what-we-do
• 3 - https://www.urgewald.org
• 4 - https://www.urgewald.org/ueber-uns
• 5 - https://www.urgewald.org/global-oil-and-gas-exit-list