Introduction

The chapter introduces our edited volume and its three objectives. The first objective is to understand who these ‘defenders’ are, the various forms of violence they face, and the reasons why such violence takes place. The second is to examine these processes within different sectors (e.g. coal mining, renewable energy projects, conservation projects) to understand their specificities and commonalities. The third objective is to understand how defenders seek to respond to this violence, and what can be done both locally and internationally to protect and support them. We thus engage with the ‘atmospheres’ and ‘dynamics’ of violence surrounding both ‘dirty’ and ‘green’ projects, as well as with the range of responses taken by defenders, and their allies, to this violence.