Executive Director of Greenpeace Andino since 2018, Natalia Machain has built a career rooted in environmental law with regional projection. Her leadership of Greenpeace’s Andean office—which integrates operations in Argentina, Chile, and Colombia—includes coordinating advocacy campaigns and engaging with international conservation networks.
What is Greenpeace Andino and How It Operates in South America
Greenpeace Andino is the regional representation of the international Greenpeace network in South America. Headquartered in Buenos Aires, it maintains operational offices in Santiago de Chile and has an active presence in Colombia. This regional structure operates under Greenpeace’s global principles, including financial independence from governments, political parties, and corporations. Its mission is to expose and denounce environmental problems affecting the region through peaceful actions, public interventions, and strategic communication campaigns aimed at informing and mobilizing society.
Legal Background and Environmental Specialization
Machain graduated with a law degree from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA). Her further education reflects an interdisciplinary approach, including a diploma in social and political anthropology from FLACSO and specialization in environmental economics and management from institutions such as the Argentine Catholic University (UCA) and the Buenos Aires Institute of Technology (ITBA).
A Career Built Between Law and Activism
Machain’s professional path has evolved at the intersection of environmental activism, public policy design, and legal advocacy. Before assuming her current role, she served as Greenpeace’s political coordination lead and worked with various organizations focused on environmental protection throughout Latin America.
Regional Campaigns Under Her Leadership
During her tenure, Greenpeace Andino has launched several regionally significant campaigns. One of the most visible was “Patagonia Without Salmon Farms,” which targeted the expansion of the salmon farming industry in Chile’s Magallanes region. This initiative included the release of a documentary and a communication campaign aimed at raising awareness about threats to marine biodiversity.
Another notable effort was the “Capybara Report,” which highlighted the environmental risks of real estate development in protected areas of the Paraná Delta. This report contributed to legislative debates and supported the development of proposals to protect wetlands in Argentina.
Participation in Legislation and Land Protection Efforts
Machain has also been involved in legislative processes related to the proposed Wetlands Law, helping bring the issue into the public conversation. From her early legal practice, she has focused on creating regulatory frameworks that take a comprehensive approach to conservation.
Environmental Education and Multi-Scale Strategies
Her work combines legal, communication, and educational strategies. In recent years, Greenpeace Andino has developed educational materials for children and teenagers, promoting environmental awareness from an early age.
She has consistently advocated for the protection of ecosystems like the Gran Chaco and the Andean glaciers, emphasizing the need for effective policies to counteract the damage caused by extractive industries and agricultural expansion.
A Critical Perspective on Environmental Challenges in the Global South
Machain frames environmental issues within the context of the global south, where countries rich in biodiversity face intense economic pressures. From her point of view, meaningful conservation requires political will, technical expertise, and an engaged citizenry.
Balancing Activism and Institutional Engagement
Her approach blends direct activism with institutional engagement, recognizing the enduring importance of law and education as tools for long-term environmental transformation.
