On the occasion of the 3^rd international day of action against Chevron on 21 May, a new map has been added to the Atlas of Environmental Justice (EJAtlas) to show 30 conflicts created by Chevron. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB), the largest federation of environmental NGOs in Europe, has worked with the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) and a network of universities and NGOs all over the world on this, the largest database of environmental conflicts. The EEB is also shining the spotlights on one major environmental injustice created by Chevron.

Leida Rijnhout, Director of Global Policies and Sustainability, explains why the EEB is involved in a global campaign to make Chevron accountable for its actions:

“The EEB believes that polluting companies should pay to clean up the mess they leave behind. It’s also unacceptable that Chevron neglects court orders and instead sues representatives of the victims in their legitimate pursuit to live in a clean environment. The EEB, supported by several of its members, decided to support efforts to implement a Supreme Court order to pay $9.5 billion for a clean-up in Ecuador, by launching a crowdfunding campaign for the lawyers of the victims. Until now, the case is a negative precedent which inspires polluting industries to follow Chevron’s bullying strategy. The EEB aims to turn it into a positive precedent that will inspire affected communities all over the world. Our demand is simple: #ChevronCleanUp.”

Daniela Del Bene, project manager for the Atlas of Environmental Justice at the UAB said:

“Chevron systematically applies the ‘Polluter does not Pay Principle’. Communities faced with the consequences have worked together with lawyers and NGOs to make this map of Chevron conflicts. On top of demanding reparation and justice, the communities also want to highlight why the global economy needs to break free from fossil fuels.“