Andrew Lees (environmentalist)

Andrew Lees (1947 – 1994) was a prominent British environmentalist and campaigner. He is best known for his work with Friends of the Earth (FoE) UK, where he served as Campaigns Director from 1984 to 1990 and then as Director from 1990 until his death.

Lees dedicated his career to protecting the environment, focusing on issues such as tropical rainforest destruction, climate change, and corporate accountability. He was particularly effective in exposing environmentally damaging practices of multinational corporations and governments.

One of his most significant achievements was leading the campaign against the destructive operations of RTZ (Rio Tinto Zinc), a multinational mining company, in the Amazon rainforest. This campaign, which highlighted the impact of mining on indigenous communities and the environment, significantly raised awareness of the issue and contributed to changes in RTZ's practices.

Lees was a strong advocate for grassroots activism and empowering local communities to fight for their environmental rights. He was known for his strategic thinking, meticulous research, and passionate advocacy.

His sudden and unexpected death at the age of 47 was a great loss to the environmental movement. The Andrew Lees Trust was established in his memory to support community-based environmental and social justice initiatives, particularly in Madagascar. His legacy continues to inspire environmental activists and campaigners around the world.