About COPE
The Council of Presidents of the Environment (COPE) is an umbrella body representing a diverse grouping of autonomous, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisations and community based organisations with specialist interests in environmental concerns. COPE provides a unified voice for the environmental movement in Trinidad and Tobago.
By bringing together organisations with different specialisations, from forestry and marine conservation to wildlife protection and environmental education, COPE facilitates collaboration, strengthens collective advocacy, and amplifies the efforts of its member bodies in ways that no single organisation could achieve alone.
WEPTT's membership in COPE reflects our commitment to the broader environmental movement in Trinidad and Tobago. Working within this coalition allows us to add our specialist expertise in wildlife and ecosystem protection to national-level advocacy, and to benefit from the collective knowledge and reach of the wider network.
COPE's Core Functions
Environmental Policy Advocacy & Governance
COPE engages with government agencies and legislative processes to influence environmental policy, regulatory frameworks, and national development planning. This includes submissions, consultations, and stakeholder representation on issues like land use, biodiversity, and pollution control.
Public Education & Awareness
COPE supports and amplifies environmental education initiatives: campaigns, workshops, and outreach aimed at improving public understanding of conservation, sustainability, and environmental rights.
Coordination & Networking of NGOs/CBOs
A central function of COPE is to unify diverse environmental groups, facilitating collaboration, information-sharing, and joint action across organisations with different specialisations, including forestry, marine conservation, and wildlife protection.
Environmental Monitoring & Advocacy Action
COPE and its member bodies monitor environmental issues, including deforestation, quarrying, and coastal degradation, and mobilise responses ranging from public statements to legal and community-based interventions.