Germany: Amendment of the Civil Code to improve the legal status of animals
In 1990, the Green Party sought to grant animals legal capacity but failed due to concerns about the impact this would have on the farming industry in Germany. Read More →
Initiative Index
This page allows you to access the full database of legal initiatives in the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. You may filter your search based on the parameters and search bar below. To access the initiative's summary page and legal documents, click the “Read More” button on an initiative.
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Ecuador court case: mining in the Ortega River basin
In August 2026, a first-instance court in Ecuador ruled that mining activities in the Ortega River basin violated the rights of nature.Read More →
Ojai (USA) City Ordinance: rights of nature
In November 2024, the City of Ojai, California adopted an Ordinance that amended it's Municipal Code to recognize and enforce the rights of nature.Read More →
Madras (India) High Court Case: personhood for the Thamirabarani river
In July 2026, the Madras High Court of India recognized the personhood of the Tamirabarani river on the basis that "She is a deity" and cannot be polluted.Read More →
Bordeaux (France) Bioclimatic SCoT Regional Planning Scheme: harmony with nature
In December 2025, the Bordeaux metropolitan area approved a Regional Planning Scheme designed around climate resilience and a territory in harmony with nature.Read More →
Germany court case: constitutional complaint against piglet castration without anesthesia
In November 2019, 20,000 male piglets challenged their castration without anaesthesia before the Federal Constitutional Court in Germany.Read More →
Northern Playground (Norway): nature on the board
On 3 June 2026, Norwegian company Northern Playground became the first company in the Nordic region to put Nature on the board.Read More →
Universal Declaration of Tree Rights
On 18 November 2018, the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights was founded by Ricardo Rey and La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus.Read More →
Wormerland (Netherlands) citizen proposal: rights of the Wijdse Kievitsweide
On 12 April, 2024, a letter was submitted to the Wormerland Municipal Council on behalf of the Wijdse Kievitsweide to annul development for a sports complex.Read More →
Zaanstad (Netherlands) proposal: rights of nature
On 11 January 2024, the Zaanstad Municipal Council Socialist Party submitted an agenda initiative about granting legal personality to natural areas in Zaanstad.Read More →
Deventer (Netherlands) Citizen’s Climate Council: nature as a legal entity
On 27 June, 2024, the Deventer Citizens’ Climate Council adopted a recommendation to designate select natural areas as legal entities with guardians.Read More →
Spain criminal court case: industrial agriculture and the pollution of the Mar Menor
On 20 May 2026, the Mar Menor lagoon appeared before the Provincial Court in Cartagena as a victim and private prosecutor in a criminal case.Read More →
Curridabat (Costa Rica) urban policy: extending citizenship to pollinators
In 2016, municipal policy in Curridabat, Costa Rica reimagined urban planning around pollinators and native plants; seeing them as citizens in their own right.Read More →
Madrid (Spain): Declaration of the Rights of the Manzanares River
On November 15, 2025, a coalition of civil society groups and individuals issued the “Declaration of the Rights of the Manzanares River."Read More →
Sonora (Mexico) court case: on behalf of whales
On 30 March, 2026, a federal judge in Sonora granted a definitive suspension of Saguaro Energía LNG Project under Article 128 of Mexico’s Amparo Law.Read More →
Nijmegen (Netherlands): guardian of nature on Veur-Lent Island
On 11 March, 2026, the Nijmegen City Council adopted a motion that stated it believes the citizens’ initiative but called for it to be further developed.Read More →
Switzerland court case: voting rights of the wild apple
In June 2026, the wild apple filed an electoral complaint regarding the popular initiative “No to a Switzerland with 10 Million! (Sustainability Initiative)".Read More →
France Declaration of the Rights of Nature in Nature Reserves
On 21 May 2026, the Réserves Naturelles de France (RNF) network unanimously adopted the “Declaration of the Rights of Nature in Nature Reserves."Read More →
Terrasse-Vaudreuil (Canada) Municipal Resolution: rights of trees
On 9 June 2026, the municipality of Terrasse-Vaudreuil in Quebec, Canada adopted a resolution recognizing trees as living entities with rights.Read More →
Europen Citizens Initiaitve (ECI): Rights for Nature
On 19 May 2026, a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) on Rights of Nature was formally accepted and registered by the European Commission.Read More →