Environmental Policy

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

In 2022, the Spanish salt lagoon Mar Menor was recognized as a legal entity – a milestone for the Rights of Nature in Europe. A report on the history of this unique ecosystem and its path to legal subjectivity.

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.

In 2017, New Zealand became one of the first countries in the world to grant rights to a river: the Whanganui River. Here, we presents five ways in which the recognition of the River as a legal person could help to shape law and policy.

"Frogs win court case." This headline reported on a legal case in Ecuador in 2020. What sounds curious marked a significant milestone for the rights of nature.

Dennis Tabaro shares insights in the interview about his work on the rights of nature and the significance of indigenous knowledge and culture in Uganda.

Can the rights of nature provide answers to the climate crisis and loss of biodiversity? This report on the international workshop on the rights of nature in February 2024 highlights how this concept challenges the human-nature relationship and is gaining importance as a tool for protecting ecosystems and biodiversity.

More and more voices are calling for rights of nature – but how can these be meaningfully designed and implemented? Seven key points outline what the path to 'ecological law' in Germany and internationally could look like.

Indigenous and local communities have preserved traditions for harmonious coexistence between humans and nature for thousands of years. Recognising the "Rights of Nature" offers a modern approach to integrating this wisdom into environmental protection and shaping a more sustainable future.

Can rivers and forests have their own rights? The Rights of Nature movement advocates for recognizing ecosystems as legal entities to more effectively prevent environmental damage. But what does this mean for our legal systems, our understanding of nature, and potential conflicts? A global perspective on visions, debates, and practical approaches.

In the Anthropocene, humans have become the central force shaping nature – with profound consequences. How can the relationship between humans and nature be reimagined? Could granting ecosystems and nature their own rights offer a solution to the challenges of this epoch?