Protecting the world’s most pristine ecosystems is essential to curb climate change and prevent biodiversity loss, but it also continues to be deadly. At least 196 people were killed last year defending the environment, according to a report by Global Witness, an environmental watchdog group.

Colombia topped the list for the second year in a row, with 79 killings of environmentalists and activists last year, 19 more than the year prior. The second most deadly country was Brazil, with 25 killings.

The spate of killings carries a heavy political weight for the Colombian government as it prepares to host a global biodiversity summit in October, known as COP16.

Almost half of the activists, which Global Witness calls environmental defenders, who were killed in Colombia were Indigenous, and many were either members of Afro-descendant communities or small-scale farmers.

“We cannot win the fight against the climate and nature crisis without greater protection for defenders,” said Laura Furones, a senior adviser for Global Witness, and the lead author of the report.

The Colombian government did not respond to requests for comment.

Since 2012, Global Witness has documented 2,106 killings of environmental defenders. In 2022, the nonprofit documented 177 killings.