Stronger Law. Better Future.

EDS speaks for the environment. We have influence.

Since 1971, EDS has been driving environmental protection in Aotearoa New Zealand. That’s why we’re one of the most influential non-profit organisations when it comes to achieving better environmental outcomes.

EDS has expertise in key disciplines including law, planning, landscape and science. We operate as a policy think-tank, a litigation advocate, and a collaborator – bringing together the private and public sectors for constructive engagement.

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS: EDS’s latest book available now

Order a copy now!

Environmental Defenders: Fighting for our natural world tells the story of how the law has been mobilised to protect some of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most precious places. Featuring major environmental battles of the past half century, the book provides an insider’s account of how a small group of lawyers and scientists, under the EDS banner, took on the might of the government and development interests to secure important wins on behalf of the environment.

With the coalition government’s proposals to roll back many of the environmental protections put in place over past decades, Environmental Defenders provides invaluable insights into the environmental controversies of today. [...] Read more

Fast-track Approvals Bill presents a serious risk to New Zealand exporters

On 1 May, New Zealand’s new free trade agreement with the European Union – our fourth largest trading partner – comes into force. The enforceable commitments by the Parties under its Trade and Sustainable Development Chapter have been described as a significant step up in accountability on key sustainability issues.

This is particularly so in relation to the Parties’ commitment to “refrain from any action or omission which materially defeats the object and purpose of the Paris Agreement”, which is subject to dispute settlement provisions and potentially trade sanctions if breached.

“Our exporters should, therefore, be deeply concerned that the Fast-track Approvals Bill was not assessed for consistency with any of our free trade commitments prior to being introduced to the House,” says Gary Taylor, Chief Executive of the Environmental Defence Society (EDS). [...] Read more