
Protect The West Coast is a new nonprofit partner of 1% for the Planet, a global alliance of more than 4,000 business and individual members that give back to support environmental nonprofits.
1% for the Planet pairs businesses and individuals with their approved environmental nonprofits, creating high-impact partnerships that amplify the impact of their members’ giving.
“We are thrilled to be part of 1% for the Planet, which will go a long way to growing our support base and help us in our mission to protect South Africa’s west coast from mining and other environmental threats,” says Mike Schlebach, MD of Protect The West Coast. Protect The West Coast is now eligible to receive donations from 1% for the Planet business and individual member companies, placing them among a diverse, global network of environmental organisations. 1% members fuel this nonprofit network through their annual contributions. Partnership with 1% greatly expands the potential pool of funding to which Protect The West Coast can look to for support.
Newly approved Protect The West Coast contributes to a healthier planet by reducing the impact of sand mining on the Cape West Coast, which can destroy the ecosystems of the region’s beaches and coastal zones. “We know our nonprofit partners play a critical role in solving the many challenges facing our planet, and our core work is to grow the support that enables these nonprofits to accomplish even more,” says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. “We are thrilled to welcome Protect The West Coast to the 1% for the Planet network.”

About 1% for the Planet
1% for the Planet is a global organization that exists to ensure our planet and future generations thrive. We inspire businesses and individuals to support environmental nonprofits through membership and everyday actions. We make environmental giving easy and effective through partnership advising, impact storytelling and third-party certification. Started in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Flies, our business members and individual members have given hundreds of millions of dollars to our approved nonprofit partners to date. Today, 1% for the Planet’s global network consists of thousands of businesses, individuals and environmental nonprofits working toward a better future for all. Look for our logo to purchase for the planet.

About Protect The West Coast
Mining is becoming rampant on the beaches and offshore regions of the pristine West Coast of South Africa, which is causing devastating environmental damage, restricting public coastal access and adversely affecting local communities. While this has been going on for several decades, the area is currently under increasing siege by a slew of multinational mining companies that seem to have the unequivocal backing, or at least tacit approval, of the South African government, despite widespread concerns about the effect of their operations on the environment. There are numerous new mining applications in the pipeline and a proposal for a massive shipping port in Port Nolloth to support the industry. Not-For-Profit Company (NPC), Protect The West Coast (PTWC) was formed in November 2020 to bring global attention to what is happening along this fragile, remote stretch of coastline. Through information and activism, PTWC is on a mission to prevent the further destruction of this unique biodiverse region and to preserve it for future generations. It is vitally important that the people of the West Coast see alternatives to mining as a viable and sustainable long term solution to putting food on their tables, including tourism, conservation, small-scale commercial fishing and sport. It is the express objective of PTWC to hold both the mining sector and government accountable for their actions, including ensuring that mining companies do not deviate from their prescribed legally binding environmental responsibilities and that the government fully adheres to its oversight responsibilities.
The PTWC Exco To find out more about Protect The West Coast, please check out our FAQs here.