Environmental protection involves measures taken by individuals, advocacy groups, and governments to safeguard the natural environment, prevent pollution, and maintain ecological balance. This crucial effort responds to increasing environmental degradation caused by factors like overconsumption and population growth, gaining significant awareness through environmental movements since the 1960s. Approaches range from voluntary agreements, where companies exceed regulatory standards, to a collaborative ecosystem approach that considers the complex interrelationships of an entire environment.

Given the global nature of many environmental challenges, international agreements play a vital role, with some pacts dating back to 1910. Landmark events include the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm, which established the concept of a right to a healthy environment and led to the creation of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). More recent significant international efforts, such as the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 and the Paris Agreement of 2015, highlight ongoing global commitment to addressing these critical issues.