Climate Crisis

Rights of nature require intercultural dialogue. Indigenous peoples actively advocate for them, but their worldviews and structures often differ from existing legal systems.

The Rights of Nature (RoN) movement in the UK has been revitalised over recent years, with much of activists’ work focusing on local initiatives for river rights, networking projects as well as alternative, direct approaches.

Rights of Nature are a legal reality in many countries around the world and, since the recognition of the Spanish saltwater lagoon Mar Menor as a legal entity, also in Europe. In light of the ever-worsening ecological crises of our time, the idea of Rights of Nature has been gaining increasing traction in Germany.

A legal revolution is underway: Natural entities are increasingly recognized as rights-holders, not property. The Rights of Nature movement, strong in South America, is gaining momentum in Europe.

The International Tribunal of Rights of Nature (RoN) is a trailblazing citizen-driven initiative. Since 2014 the Tribunal serves as a public forum to address the widespread destruction of the Earth and advocates for a systemic alternative to conventional environmental protection and laws.

The Rights of Nature call for more than just legal change – they demand a cultural shift in how humans relate to their environment. Across Europe, artists and activists are embracing this movement through sound art, theater, exhibitions, publications, and performative gatherings.

The protection of nature requires a new legal foundation. In South Africa and worldwide, the Wild Law Institute demonstrates how the rights of nature can redefine our relationship with the environment – for a more sustainable future.

The Atrato River in Colombia was recognized as a legal entity in 2016. Yet, environmental destruction and violence continue to threaten it. A community of guardians is fighting to voice the river and enforce its rights.

India’s rivers are sacred yet heavily polluted. In 2017, the Ganges and Yamuna rivers were granted legal personhood, but the ruling was suspended. What role can the Rights of Nature play in India and what changes are needed to make them effective?

Bolivia made global headlines over a decade ago when it legally recognized the rights of nature. But how effective is this concept in the face of ongoing extractivism? A look at the opportunities, challenges, and limits of this legal paradigm shift.