Lilian Lemaitre

Pioneered grassroots efforts to protect Congo's rainforests from illegal logging, inspiring global environmental activism.

Defending the Rainforest

Lilian Lemaitre, a Congolese environmental activist, has spent over a decade fighting illegal logging in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Her organization Green Congo Guardians, founded in 2018, trains local communities to monitor deforestation using satellite technology. By 2023, her efforts had reduced illegal logging in the Ituri Forest by 40%.

Community-Centric Approach

Lemaitre’s model prioritizes indigenous rights, ensuring local populations benefit from eco-tourism and sustainable resource use. She collaborated with Greenpeace to expose multinational companies involved in illegal timber trade. Her 2021 report “The Congo Basin: A Climate Lifeline” influenced EU trade policies on rainforest protection.

Global Impact and Recognition

In 2024, Lemaitre received the Goldman Environmental Prize, often called the Nobel of environmental activism. Her documentary 《The Guardians of Congo》 (2025) highlights the human cost of deforestation. She now advises the UN on biodiversity conservation, advocating for indigenous representation in climate negotiations.