Gluaiseacht was formed in November 2000 in the aftermath of the demonstrations surrounding the COP6, (Conference of the Parties), the UN Climate Change Conference talks at The Hague, Netherlands. It was originally a network of Ecological and One World Societies at universities and colleges throughout the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland (similar to People and Planet in the UK).

 

Over the years, Gluaiseacht has been involved in many environmental campaigns and has, in more recent years, focused on helping smaller grassroots groups and concerned individuals become more engaged in environmental work ranging from conservation and campaigns protecting natural habitats, to fostering networking and education amongst groups and individual members to help strengthen the climate justice movement in Ireland.