History of Greenpeace in Timeline

Greenpeace is a global, independent campaigning network founded in 1971. It aims to protect Earth's biodiversity through direct action, advocacy, research, and at times, ecotage. The organization addresses critical environmental issues worldwide, including climate change, deforestation, overfishing, whaling, genetic engineering, and anti-nuclear campaigns.

1955: Original launch of Sir William Hardy

In 1955, the ship that would become the Rainbow Warrior was originally launched as the Sir William Hardy.

1958: Inspiration from Anti-Nuclear Voyages

In 1958, Jim Bohlen's wife Marie was inspired by the anti-nuclear voyages of Albert Bigelow, leading to the idea to sail to Amchitka.

November 1969: Formation of the Don't Make a Wave Committee

On 28 November 1969, the group adopted the name "Don't Make a Wave Committee".

1969: Irving and Dorothy Stowe's Home as a Hub

In 1969, Irving and Dorothy Stowe's home on Courtenay Street became a significant hub for Greenpeace meetings.

October 1970: Benefit Concert for Greenpeace Campaign

On 16 October 1970, Irving Stowe organized a benefit concert supported by Joan Baez at the Pacific Coliseum in Vancouver, which financially supported the first Greenpeace campaign.

1970: Establishment of The Don't Make a Wave Committee

In 1970, The Don't Make a Wave Committee was established.

September 1971: First Voyage to Amchitka

On 15 September 1971, the ship sailed towards Amchitka and faced the U.S. Coast Guard ship Confidence which forced the activists to turn back.

1971: Greenpeace Founded

In 1971, Greenpeace was founded in Canada by a group of environmental activists as an independent global campaigning network.

1971: Official Incorporation of The Don't Make a Wave Committee

In 1971, the official incorporation of The Don't Make a Wave Committee took place.

1972: Name Change to Greenpeace Foundation

In 1972, the name of "The Don't Make a Wave Committee" was officially changed to Greenpeace Foundation.

1972: Vega Yacht Renamed Greenpeace III

In 1972, the yacht Vega, owned by David McTaggart, was renamed Greenpeace III and sailed in an anti-nuclear protest into the exclusion zone at Moruroa.

1974: Greenpeace Settles in Shared Office

In the autumn of 1974, Greenpeace settled in a small office shared with the SPEC environmental group at 2007 West 4th at Maple in Kitsilano.

1975: Death of Irving Stowe and Campaign Against Whaling

In 1975, after Irving Stowe died, the Phyllis Cormack sailed from Vancouver to confront Soviet whalers off the coast of California.

1976: Publication of Greenpeace Declaration of Interdependence

In 1976, Greenpeace published the "Greenpeace Declaration of Interdependence" in the Greenpeace Chronicles.

1976: Patrick Moore Reverses Position on Nuclear Power

In 1976, Patrick Moore reversed his position on nuclear power, transitioning from opposing it to supporting it.

1976: US Academy of Sciences

In 1976, a report by the US Academy of Sciences supported the ozone "depletion hypothesis".

1977: Growth of Independent Greenpeace Groups Worldwide

By 1977, there were 15 to 20 independent groups using the name Greenpeace around the world, while the Canadian office faced debt and internal disputes.

1978: Greenpeace launches the original Rainbow Warrior

In 1978, Greenpeace launched the original Rainbow Warrior, a former fishing trawler, which was first deployed to disrupt the hunt of the Icelandic whaling fleet.

October 1979: Establishment of Greenpeace International

On 14 October 1979, Greenpeace International came into existence, aiming to unite scattered Greenpeace offices under a single global organization.

May 1985: Rainbow Warrior instrumental for 'Operation Exodus'

In May 1985, the Rainbow Warrior was instrumental for 'Operation Exodus', the evacuation of Rongelap Atoll islanders whose home had been contaminated with nuclear fallout.

1985: Large losses from chlorinated and nitrogenous compounds reported

In 1985 it was reported that the ozone layer was suffering large losses from chlorinated and nitrogenous compounds.

1985: Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior

Later in 1985 the Rainbow Warrior was bombed in Auckland harbor by the French government, killing photographer Fernando Pereira.

1986: Chernobyl nuclear disaster highlighted

Greenpeace highlights the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 as evidence of the risk nuclear power can pose.

1986: Patrick Moore Leaves Greenpeace

In 1986, Patrick Moore, an early Greenpeace member, left the organization due to disagreements over the support for a universal ban on chlorine in drinking water, marking a significant shift in the organization's internal dynamics and controversies.

1987: Montreal Protocol signed

In 1987 the Montreal Protocol was signed.

1987: French government pays compensation for Rainbow Warrior bombing

In 1987, the French Government agreed to pay New Zealand compensation of NZ$13 million and formally apologised for the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior.

1989: Commissioning of Rainbow Warrior II

In 1989, Greenpeace commissioned a replacement vessel for the original Rainbow Warrior, known as Rainbow Warrior II. This event marked a significant milestone in Greenpeace's continued activism and maritime operations.

1990: Base year for emission reduction targets

Greenpeace used 1990 as the base year for industrialized countries to cut their emissions by at least 40% by 2020.

1992: Ozone-safe hydrocarbon alternative refrigerant

Around 1992, a Greenpeace campaigner learned about an ozone-safe hydrocarbon alternative refrigerant.

1993: Formulation of Sustainable Development Scenario

In 1993, Greenpeace was one of the first parties to formulate a sustainable development scenario for climate change mitigation.

1994: Anti-nuclear newspaper advert banned

In 1994, Greenpeace published an anti-nuclear newspaper advert with unsubstantiated claims, leading to its ban by the Advertising Standards Authority.

June 1995: Tree from Koitajoki displayed at exhibitions

In June 1995, Greenpeace took a tree from Koitajoki and displayed it at exhibitions, leading to accusations of theft by Metsähallitus.

1997: UNEP Award for Ozone Layer Protection

In 1997, the United Nations Environment Programme awarded Greenpeace for "outstanding contributions to the protection of the Earth's ozone layer".

January 1998: Shell Cancels Brent Spar Dumping Operation

In January 1998, Shell canceled the operation to dump the Brent Spar rig after transporting it to the dumping site, admitting they underestimated public opinion. They announced plans to recycle the rig as a quay in Norway.

1999: Greenpeace Germany founded Greenpeace Energy

In 1999, Greenpeace Germany (NGO) founded Greenpeace Energy, a renewable electricity cooperative.

1999: Decommissioning of Brent Spar Container

In 1999, the Brent Spar container was decommissioned, and cold-water coral species were found on its legs. Greenpeace opposed the suggestion to keep the legs on the sea bed as habitat, citing risks to the coral and exposure to toxic substances.

2001: Greenpeace responds to "eco-terrorist" claim

In 2001, Gert Leipold, then executive director of Greenpeace, detested the claim of "eco-terrorists", when the Institute of Cetacean Research of Japan called Greenpeace that.

2001: Greenpeace states concern over golden rice program

In 2001, Greenpeace stated that the golden rice program's true efficiency in treating malnourished populations was its primary concern.

2001: Dissolution of London Greenpeace

In 2001, London Greenpeace dissolved, choosing to remain independent from Greenpeace International.

2001: FBI Investigation into Greenpeace Begins

In 2001, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation initiated an improper and baseless investigation into Greenpeace, along with several other NGOs.

August 2003: Wall Street Journal Reports PIW Funding

In August 2003, The Wall Street Journal reported that $120,000 of the $124,095 PIW received in contributions during the period from August 2003 to July 2004 came from ExxonMobil.

September 2003: Public Interest Watch Complaint

In September 2003, Public Interest Watch (PIW) complained to the Internal Revenue Service that Greenpeace US's tax returns were inaccurate and in violation of the law.

July 2004: Wall Street Journal Reports PIW Funding

In July 2004, The Wall Street Journal reported that $120,000 of the $124,095 PIW received in contributions during the period from August 2003 to July 2004 came from ExxonMobil.

2004: Australian Government Subsidy Contingent on Legal Action Against Greenpeace

In 2004, it was revealed that the Australian government was willing to offer a subsidy to Southern Pacific Petroleum on the condition that the oil company would take legal action against Greenpeace for campaigning against the Stuart Oil Shale Project.

April 2005: Greenpeace expresses concern over GMO crops safety

In April 2005, Greenpeace continued to express concern over the safety testing of GMO crops like golden rice, stating their concern over human health and environmental safety.

December 2005: IRS Review Concludes Greenpeace USA Qualifies for Tax-Exempt Status

In December 2005, the IRS concluded an extensive review and determined that Greenpeace USA continued to qualify for its tax-exempt status.

2005: Rainbow Warrior II Damages Tubbataha Reef

In 2005, the Rainbow Warrior II ran aground on and damaged the Tubbataha Reef in the Philippines while inspecting for coral bleaching. Greenpeace was fined US$7,000 for the damage and accepted responsibility, even though they claimed outdated charts were provided by the Philippines government.

2005: FBI Investigation into Greenpeace Concludes

In 2005, the improper investigation by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation into Greenpeace concluded.

March 2006: Wall Street Journal Reports PIW Funding

In March 2006, The Wall Street Journal reported that $120,000 of the $124,095 PIW received in contributions during the period from August 2003 to July 2004 came from ExxonMobil.

August 2006: Greenpeace releases first edition of Guide to Greener Electronics

In August 2006, Greenpeace released the first edition of Guide to Greener Electronics, ranking mobile and PC manufacturers on their environmental performance.

October 2007: Greenpeace protesters arrested at Kingsnorth power station

In October 2007, six Greenpeace protesters were arrested for breaking into the Kingsnorth power station in Kent, England, causing damage.

2007: Greenpeace funded research by Gilles-Éric Séralini

In 2007 Greenpeace funded research by Gilles-Éric Séralini into MON 863 genetically engineered maize.

2007: Publicized results of Árpád Pusztai

In 2007 Greenpeace publicized results of Árpád Pusztai.

2007: IEA energy scenario

In 2007 Greenpeace referred to the IEA energy scenario where an increase in world's nuclear capacity from 2608 TWh would cut global greenhouse gas emissions.

2007: First Greenpeace office address

Within half a year Greenpeace moved in to share the upstairs office space with The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation on the second floor at 2007, 4th Ave. and Maple in Kitsilano in 2007.

December 2008: Acquittal listed in New York Times' most influential ideas

In December 2008, The New York Times listed the acquittal of the Greenpeace activists in its annual list of the most influential ideas of the year.

2008: Greenpeace uses ships to disrupt trawling in the North Sea

In 2008, Greenpeace's campaign to disrupt trawling in the North Sea by placing large boulders on the seafloor.

2008: Funding by Regular Supporters

In 2008, most of the €202.5 million received by Greenpeace was donated by about 2.6 million regular supporters, mainly from Europe.

2008: Greenpeace activists stole whale meat

In 2008, two Greenpeace anti-whaling activists stole a case of whale meat from a delivery depot in Aomori prefecture, Japan.

November 2009: Release of Amchitka Concert Recording

In November 2009, Greenpeace published the "Amchitka, the 1970 concert that launched Greenpeace" recording on CD, also making it available as an mp3 download.

2009: Copenhagen Climate Change Conference Deemed a "Colossal Failure"

In 2009, International Executive Director Kumi Naidoo declared the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference a "colossal failure" and indicated the organization faced a "burning platform" moment.

July 2010: EU banned illegal timber

In July 2010, the EU decided to ban the import of illegal timber, following a campaign by Greenpeace and other NGOs.

September 2010: Sato and Suzuki convicted

In September 2010, Junichi Sato and Toru Suzuki were convicted of theft and trespassing by the Aomori District Court.

2010: Approval of New Greenpeace Strategy

In 2010, a new strategy was approved for Greenpeace.

July 2011: Greenpeace releases Dirty Laundry report

In July 2011, Greenpeace released its Dirty Laundry report, accusing fashion brands of releasing toxic waste into China's rivers, focused on industrial wastewater discharges from facilities in China.

August 2011: Rainbow Warrior II Retired

In August 2011, specifically on the 16th, the Rainbow Warrior II was retired from service. This marked the end of its service era, making way for the third-generation vessel, signaling a new chapter for Greenpeace's operations.

November 2011: Greenpeace updates Guide to Greener Electronics criteria

In November 2011, Greenpeace updated the criteria for the Guide to Greener Electronics, setting goals for greenhouse gas reduction and renewable power use.

2011: Greenpeace Energy supplied customers with fossil gas

From 2011, Greenpeace Energy supplied customers with fossil gas.

2011: Fukushima nuclear disaster highlighted

Greenpeace highlights the Fukushima nuclear disaster of 2011 as evidence of the risk nuclear power can pose.

2011: Establishment of Digital Mobilisation Centre

In 2011, Greenpeace hired Michael Silberman to build a "Digital Mobilisation Centre of Excellence", later known as the Mobilisation Lab.

2011: EDF fined and employees jailed for spying on Greenpeace

In 2011, a French court fined Électricité de France (EDF) and jailed employees for spying on Greenpeace, including hacking. Greenpeace was awarded damages.

2011: Greenfreeze Technology Production Milestone

In 2011, two-fifths of the world's total production of refrigerators were based on Greenfreeze technology, developed by Greenpeace in the early 1990s.

2012: Technology used in US

By 2012 the ozone-safe hydrocarbon alternative refrigerant was used in the US.

2012: Start of "Save the Arctic" protests

In 2012, protests with "Save the Arctic" banners were started to stop oil- and gas-drilling, industrial fishing and military operations in the Arctic region.

September 2013: Greenpeace activists arrested protesting Gazprom's Prirazlomnaya platform

On 19 September 2013, 30 activists from MV Arctic Sunrise were arrested by the Russian Coast Guard while protesting at Gazprom's Prirazlomnaya platform.

2013: Wilmar International commitment to end deforestation

In 2013 Wilmar International made a commitment to end deforestation, in which they promised to incorporate organic and sustainable ways to collect palm oil.

2013: Greenpeace launches Detox Fashion campaign

In 2013, Greenpeace launched the "Detox Fashion" campaign, successfully leading to commitments from several global brands to eliminate hazardous chemicals from their supply chains.

2013: Moore Criticizes Greenpeace's Stance on Golden Rice

In 2013, Patrick Moore criticized Greenpeace's stance on golden rice, accusing them of waging a campaign of misinformation and supporting the violent destruction of Golden Rice field trials.

2013: Greenpeace Calls for Investigation into Politically Motivated IRS Audits

In 2013, after a clean follow-up audit by the IRS, Greenpeace U.S. Executive Director Phil Radford called for a Congressional investigation into all politically motivated audits.

2013: Controversy Over Pascal Husting's Commute

In 2013, reports surfaced that Pascal Husting, a director at Greenpeace International, was commuting 400 km by plane. Following public outcry, Greenpeace announced that Husting would commute by train.

2013: Greenpeace activists protest on Statoil's oil rig in bear suits

In 2013, three Greenpeace activists dressed in bear suits boarded a Statoil oil rig to protest drilling plans in the Arctic Ocean.

2013: Resolute Forest Products sued Greenpeace

Since 2013, the logging company Resolute Forest Products sued Greenpeace several times.

May 2014: Greenpeace occupies Statoil's oil rig in the Barents Sea

On 27 May 2014, Greenpeace's ship, MV Esperanza, took over Transocean Spitsbergen, oil rig of Statoil in the Barents Sea making it incapable of operating.

July 2014: Greenpeace launches boycott campaign against Lego over Shell partnership

In July 2014, Greenpeace launched a global boycott campaign to persuade Lego to cease producing toys carrying Shell's logo in response to Shell's plans to drill for oil in the Arctic.

December 2014: Greenpeace Activists Damage Nazca Lines

In December 2014, Greenpeace activists damaged rock related to the Nazca Lines in Peru while setting up a banner, causing concerns of irreparable harm. They walked near the glyph without regulation footwear, violating strict prohibitions.

2014: Greenpeace criticizes Statoil's "green wash"

In 2014, Greenpeace criticized Statoil for their "green wash", arguing that Statoil hid the truth that it is doing the risky oil drilling by sponsoring FIRST Lego League.

2014: Greenpeace regards the petroleum activities of Statoil as illegal

In 2014, Greenpeace regarded the petroleum activities of Statoil as "illegal", arguing that Statoil's drilling plans posed a threat to Bear Island.

2014: Annual Revenue and Currency Speculation Loss

In 2014, Greenpeace's annual revenue was reported to be about €300 million (US$400 million), although they lost about €4 million (US$5 million) in currency speculation that year.

January 2015: Greenpeace Presents Statements on Nazca Lines Damage

In January 2015, following the damage to the Nazca Lines, Greenpeace presented statements of four members involved. The Peruvian government deemed the apologies insufficient and pursued legal action.

April 2015: Kumi Naidoo Admits Anti-Whale Campaign Miscalculation

In April 2015, Kumi Naidoo admitted in Norwegian Newspaper Dagbladet that Greenpeace's anti-whale campaign was a "miscalculation".

2015: Palm oil plantation plans in Indonesia

By 2015, Indonesia had plans for another 4 million hectares (15,000 sq mi) for palm oil plantation.

2015: Launch of Unearthed by Greenpeace UK

In 2015, Greenpeace UK launched an investigative journalism publication called Unearthed.

2015: Peak in global greenhouse gas emissions

In 2015, Greenpeace called for global greenhouse gas emissions to peak.

June 2016: Nobel Laureates urge Greenpeace to end campaign against Golden Rice

In June 2016, 107 Nobel Laureates signed an open letter urging Greenpeace to end its campaign against genetically modified crops and Golden Rice. They also called upon governments to oppose Greenpeace's actions.

June 2016: Nobel Laureates Urge Greenpeace to End Opposition to GMOs

In June 2016, 107 Nobel laureates signed an open letter urging Greenpeace to end its opposition to genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

2016: Permission granted for ongoing oil exploration

During 2016, permission was granted for ongoing oil exploration endeavors, challenged jointly by Greenpeace and Nature and Youth Norway.

2016: Viral video protesting Nestle

In 2016, Greenpeace released a viral video protesting Nestlé's use of palm oil in Kit Kat bars, resulting in a public statement by Nestlé claiming to no longer use such practices in their products.

March 2017: Spin-Out of Mobilisation Lab

In March 2017, the Mobilisation Lab spun out of Greenpeace through a joint investment by Greenpeace and CIVICUS World Alliance for Citizen Participation.

2017: Last published edition of Guide to Greener Electronics

In 2017, Greenpeace published the last edition of Guide to Greener Electronics. The 2017 version included 17 major IT companies and ranked them on energy use, resource consumption and chemical elimination.

November 2018: Rang-tan video denied

In November 2018, UK's Clearcast have denied a version of Rang-tan video as submitted by Iceland Foods Ltd.

2018: Wilmar International still linked to forest destruction

A 2018 investigation conducted by Greenpeace International found that Wilmar International (the world's largest palm-oil trader) was still linked to forest destruction in the Indonesian province of Papua.

2018: Greenpeace calls for moratorium on deep sea mining

In 2018, Greenpeace joined other environmental organizations to call for a moratorium on exploratory deep sea mining authorized by the International Seabed Authority (ISA).

2019: Lawsuit

In 2019 claims of the company Resolute were mostly rejected in one lawsuit.

2019: Greenpeace activists protest outside ISA meeting

In 2019, Greenpeace activists protested outside the annual meeting of the International Seabed Authority in Jamaica, calling for a global ocean treaty to ban deep sea mining in ocean sanctuaries.

2019: Greenpeace Publication on Total's GHG Emissions

In 2019, Greenpeace published information about the underestimate of Total's GHG emissions which later led to a lawsuit by Total.

December 2020: Norway's Supreme Court Refuses to Interfere in Oil Exploration

In December 2020, Norway's Supreme Court refused to interfere in ongoing oil exploration, despite a challenge by Greenpeace and Nature and Youth Norway.

2020: Target of zero deforestation

By 2020, Greenpeace aimed to protect intact primary forests from deforestation and degradation with the target of zero deforestation.

2020: Emission cut target for industrialized countries

By 2020, Greenpeace called for industrialized countries to cut emissions by at least 40% from 1990 levels and to halt deforestation.

2020: Resolute ordered to pay Greenpeace

In 2020, a court in California ordered Resolute to pay US$816,000 to Greenpeace to cover legal costs.

2021: Greenpeace Energy renamed to Green Planet Energy

Following a media outcry in 2021 about selling fossil fuels, Greenpeace Energy changed its name to Green Planet Energy.

2022: Greenpeace threatened to sue the EU

In 2022, Greenpeace threatened to sue the European Union after it proposed to categorize nuclear power as a "green" technology.

May 2023: Greenpeace Designated as Undesirable Organization in Russia

On 19 May 2023, Russia's Prosecutor-General's Office designated Greenpeace as an undesirable organisation, accusing it of interfering with Russia's internal affairs, undermining the country's economy, and financing the activities of Russian organizations recognized as "foreign agents".

August 2023: Protest at Rishi Sunak's home

In August 2023, Greenpeace protested new oil exploration licenses by covering the home of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in black fabric.

2023: Greenpeace celebrated the phaseout of nuclear power in Germany

In 2023 Greenpeace celebrated the phaseout of nuclear power in Germany, a time when Germany was experiencing an energy crisis.

March 2024: Lawsuit Against Greenpeace Dismissed

In March 2024, a lawsuit filed by Total against Greenpeace, following Greenpeace's publication about Total's GHG emissions, was dismissed in the Parisian court.

2050: Target to decrease greenhouse gas emissions

Greenpeace set a goal in 2050 to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions as close to zero as possible.

2050: IEA energy scenario

In 2050 Greenpeace referred to the IEA energy scenario where an increase in world's nuclear capacity to 9857 TWh would cut global greenhouse gas emissions.

2050: Greenpeace US Claims Shift to Renewable Energy

Phil Radford, executive director of Greenpeace US claims that most countries, including the U.S., could shift to nearly 100% renewable energy while phasing out nuclear power by 2050.