Unlikely Defenders of Democracy? Environmental Organisations’ Democratic Activism in the Context of Far-Right Successes

This paper is based on my dissertation project which contributes to debates on environmental and climate organisations as democratic actors beyond their core issue of ecology. In Germany and beyond, the far-right is gaining electoral ground and societal polarisation intensifies. My research analyses how environmentalist, nature protection, and climate activist civil society and social movement organizations engage with this context in multiple ways: by positioning themselves against extremist or xenophobic worldviews, by joining protest movements and alliances, or by raising awareness within their networks. In particular, I study how and why they adopt or perform democratic activism as a topic which lies beyond their “core business”. Methodologically, I use qualitative semi-structured interviews with members involved in decision-making processes. I will share preliminary insights and findings from interviews with activists from major German organisations – covering their self-conceptions, motivations, goals, strategies, and struggles – demonstrating how dealing with the far right is very much still work in progress for these actors, but also highlighting their sensitivity and dedication to the issue. Theoretically, I contribute to literatures regarding civil society, solidarity, politicisation, and responses to the far right.