How the archive is built
A transparent account of what we include, how we check it, and how we classify it, so researchers and institutions can judge how far to rely on it.
1. What counts as a story
A story documents a real action, by identifiable people or a community, that addresses an environmental or sustainability problem in a specific place. We prioritise actions that began small, that are led by people outside large institutions, and that others could adapt. Scale is never the main test.
2. Sources and evidence
Each story needs at least two sources independent of the people involved: UN agencies, award foundations, government bodies, peer-reviewed research or reputable journalism. Organisations' own materials may be used, but claims drawn from them are attributed. Every source is listed with the specific claim it supports. Legacy profiles need at least three sources, including one institutional source.
3. Evidence levels
- Verified: Checked by our editors against credible independent evidence, usually including an interview.
- Documented: Supported by reliable published sources such as UN agencies, award bodies and reputable journalism. Not yet independently re-verified by our editors.
- Self-reported: Based mainly on the contributor's own account.
- Insufficient evidence: Not enough information to publish as a factual claim.
At launch, stories are rated Documented or Self-reported. Verified is reserved for stories our editors have checked directly, usually through an interview and supporting evidence.
4. Handling numbers
We never estimate or aggregate environmental impact. Figures appear only when a source states them, with that source named. Where sources disagree, we give each figure and its source, and explain the conflict in an editor's note.
5. Classification
- Problems: 13 recurring problems (for example plastic waste, water, soil degradation) so similar actions can be compared across countries.
- Topics: a controlled list of 33 topics; stories can carry several.
- SDGs: added only where the link is direct. We do not label every story with every plausible goal.
- Scale and actor type: household to international; individual, group, community or organisation.
6. Replication guidance
"Copy this" sections are editorial guidance written from the sources: materials, skills, time, people, difficulty, qualitative cost, risks and how to adapt. They are a starting point, not engineering advice.
7. Memorial profiles
Deaths connected with environmental defence carry exactly one label: confirmed killing, alleged killing, death during environmental conflict, death while engaged in environmental defence, cause of death disputed, circumstances under investigation, or executed by the state. Court findings are separated from allegations.
8. Safety and privacy
Locations are shown at town level only. Contributors may be anonymous. We take extra care with defenders, Indigenous communities, children and land disputes.
9. Known limitations
- Coverage is shaped by what reliable sources have already reported, which favours English-language media and award winners.
- Some stories rely on sources several years old; current status is noted where it could not be confirmed.
- Classification involves editorial judgement. The full data is open so others can check and re-code it.
10. Corrections and versions
Anyone can report an error. Corrections are noted on the story with a date. The dataset is versioned by date.