Civil Society

This page identifies ecological jurisprudence initiatives in which one or more of the initiators is a group of people that have come together to support the initiative, but are not in a formally recognized non-governmental organization. These people may either be based in a particular community or be gathered together via a common movement/initiative.

Ecuador court case on constitutionality of allocating beach areas to shrimp farmers

Country:Ecuador

Status:Approved in 2023

Oct 2023, the Constitutional Court of Ecuador referenced rights of Nature in its verdict on a Draft Decree to reallocate beach area to industrial shrimp farmersRead More →

Poland Citizen Draft Bill on the Rights of the Oder River

Country:Poland

Status:Drafted in 2023

In 2023, citizens in Poland created a draft bill on the legal personality of Odra/Oder River aimed to stimulate discussion and possible legislative solutionRead More →

Cincinnati U.S. Ohio River Watershed Bill of Rights

Country:United States of America

Status:Drafted in 2023

In 2023, citizens of Cincinnati, Ohio drafted a proposed amendment to the City Charter that would establish a Bill of Rights for the Ohio River Watershed.Read More →

Ecuador court case on the rights of nature in the Fierra Urco páramo

Country:Ecuador

Status:Submitted in 2023

In 2023, a case was submitted to the Constitutional Court of Ecuador the seeking protection of the rights of Nature in the Fierro Urco páramoRead More →

Ecuador court case on the oil spill in the San Rafael Waterfall

Country:Ecuador

Status:On Appeal in 2021

In 2020, Indigenous and civil society groups in Ecuador filed a court action over rights violations due to a major oil spill in the San Rafael Waterfall.Read More →

The Ocean Race Summit Mindelo Declaration 2023

Country:International

Status:Approved in 2023

In 2023, the Ocean Race Summit in Cabo Verde issued the Mindelo Declaration, stating the Ocean has inherent rights and urged adoption of a universal declarationRead More →

Netherlands Petition to Recognize Rights of Maas River

Country:Netherlands

Status:Drafted in 2023

Citizens in the Netherlands have a petition calling on the House of Representatives to recognize the Maas River as a subject with rights.Read More →

Ecuador court case on the rights of the Monjas River

Country:Ecuador

Status:Approved in 2022

Ecuador's Constitutional Court rules that urban expansion into a fragile watershed by Quito's municipal government violated the rights of the Monjas River.Read More →