How Greenpeace works

Greenpeace has a unique presence around the world. Our strength lies in the commitment of our people and our members, and the international reach of our organisation.

Greenpeace national and regional offices are licensed to use the name 'Greenpeace' by Greenpeace International (Stichting Greenpeace Council) which performs central coordinating functions. These offices are committed to the principle of non-violence and to coordinating their activities in a way which maximises the effectiveness of our global campaigns and the combined strength of our nearly two and a half million members.

Each national office is governed by a national board which appoints a representative (called a Trustee) to Council. All offices which conform to our governance requirements and which meet basic financial and campaign performance criteria are eligible to vote in Council. Trustees meet once a year to agree a Long Term Strategic Plan for the organisation, to make any changes necessary to the governance structure of the organisation, to set a ceiling on spending for the coming year and to elect a seven-member supervisory Board of Directors.

The International Board approves the annual budget of the organisation and its financial statements.

The International Board appoints the International Executive Director, who is charged with carrying out Council's mandates. The International Executive Director leads the organisation in wide consultation with the management and campaigns staff of the national offices. His performance is regularly reviewed by the Board of Directors. His primary mission is to ensure the efficient planning, coordination and execution of effective international campaigns to protect the earth's oceans, forests and sky.

Greenpeace works in many areas of the world - not only where there are national and regional offices - operating campaign presences in a number of countries. We are also flexible and can travel to the furthest corners of the globe wherever important environmental challenges occur.

Greenpeace is an independent, non-violent organisation which relies on the voluntary donations of individual citizens and grant support from foundations to fund its work.

Greenpeace does not solicit or accept funding or cash donations from governments, corporations, political parties or multi-national governmental bodies such as the United Nations or the European Community. Greenpeace neither seeks nor accepts donations which could compromise its independence, aims, objectives or integrity.

Greenpeace is committed to non-violence and rejects violence against both property and persons. In exposing crimes against the environment and in working to find solutions, we have no permanent allies or enemies.