The Global Greens (GG) is an international network of political parties and movements which work to implement the Global Greens Charter. It consists of various national green political parties, partner networks, and other organizations associated with green politics.
Formed in 2001 at the First Global Greens Congress, the network has grown to include 76 full member parties and 11 observers and associate parties as of May 2022, so a total of 87 members. It is governed by a 12-member steering committee called the Global Greens Coordination (GGC), consisting of nominated representatives from each of the four regional federations. Each member party falls under the umbrella of one of these four affiliated regional green federationsâ Africa, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, and Europe. The day-to-day operations of the Global Greens are managed by the Secretariat, with current Co-Conveners Jose Miguel Quintanilla and Bodil Valero responsible for coordinating the work of the Executive, the Secretariat and the GGC.
The world's first green parties were founded in 1972. These were in the Australian state of Tasmania (the United Tasmania Group) and in New Zealand (the Values Party). Others followed quickly: in 1973, PEOPLE (later the Ecology Party) was set up in the UK, and in other European countries Green and radical parties sprang up in the following years.
Petra Kelly, a German ecofeminist activist, is often cited as one of the first thinkers and leaders of the green politics movement. Her work in founding the German Green Party in West Germany in 1980 was instrumental in bringing prominence to green political parties on both the national and international stages.
The first Planetary Meeting of the Greens was held in Rio de Janeiro on May 30âÂÂ31, 1992 in conjunction with the Rio Earth Summit being concurrently held in Brazil. It was here that the first ever Global Greens statement was issued, beginning with this preface:
The first Global Greens Congress was held in Canberra, Australia, in 2001. The official Global Greens Charter was issued here, and the Congress delegates set up the framework and organizational structures that would build the Global Greens into an ongoing international network and movement, including the Global Greens Coordination. In 2010, the first Global Greens Secretary was appointed.
The Global Greens Charter is the guiding document that establishes the principles and "core values" to which member parties and associated organizations should attempt to adhere. It sets out global principles that cross boundaries to bind Greens from around the world together:
Priorities outlined in the Charter include reforming the dominant economic model to include sustainable practices, combating climate change, eradicating the hunger crisis, advancing vibrant democracy, fostering peace, protecting biodiversity and striving toward universal human rights.
The Global Greens Charter has been reviewed and updated three times during Global Greens Congresses since its original publishing in 2001: once in Dakar, Senegal in 2012; again in Liverpool in 2017; and most recently South Korea in 2023. The updated 2023 version is offered in English, and past versions can be accessed in 11 various languages.
The Global Greens are organized into four regional federations across the world:
The Global Greens Coordination (GGC) is the primary decision-making body of Global Greens and acts as the General Assembly of the association. The GGC consists of representatives nominated by each of the four regional federations, including up to three full representatives and three alternatives/substitutes from each federation. Specific members are selected as âÂÂleadâ representatives and are to be a part of the Executive CommitteeâÂÂresponsible for the operational management and administrative work of Global Greens between Congresses.
The Global Greens have held five Congresses since 2001 in various locations:
The Global Greens have five networks designed to enable global collaboration, communication and community among member parties and organizations:
The Global Greens Coordination appointed Christine Milne AO as the first Global Greens Ambassador in 2015. Milne was appointed as Global Greens Ambassador in recognition of her considerable expertise in climate change and as an elected member of state and federal parliaments, including as Leader of the Australian Greens.
Affiliated members in North, Central and South America form the Federation of the Green Parties of the Americas.
The Green Party of the United States, while previously a full member, is no longer associated with the Global Greens.
Affiliated members in Asia, Pacific and Oceania form the Asia Pacific Greens Federation.
Affiliated parties in Africa form the Federation of Green Parties of Africa.
Affiliated members in Europe form the European Green Party.