Roheliste

Roheliste is the Estonian term for greens, used to refer to environmentalist political movements and, in some cases, to political parties that adopt green ideology. The word rohelised means greens, and roheliste is the genitive plural form used in Estonian when referring to green groups or their policies. In Estonia and the Baltic region, the label has been used by several small groups and coalitions that emphasize ecological sustainability and democratic participation.

Green politics for roheliste centers on protecting ecosystems, mitigating climate change, promoting renewable energy, reducing pollution, and pursuing sustainable economic development. The movement generally supports broader social goals such as environmental justice, citizen involvement in decision-making, and transparent governance. Though its scale and influence have varied, roheliste-aligned groups have sought to influence local policy, urban planning, and environmental regulation even when not winning national office.

Historically, the green movement in Estonia developed from civil society and environmental activism around the late 20th century, evolving into political initiatives that have sometimes operated under the Rohelised banner or in coalition with other parties. As part of a wider European and global Greens network, roheliste-affiliated groups have engaged with the European Green Party and the Global Greens, sharing platforms on climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development while adapting to national political contexts.

See also: Green politics, Greens, Estonia, European Green Party, Global Greens.