Summary
On December 20, 2018, the rights of Nature were recognized in the Organic Law of the city of Paudalho, Pernambuco, Brazil. Art. 181. of the Organic Law states “The municipality recognizes the right of Nature to exist, prosper and evolve and must act to ensure that all members of the natural community, human and non-human, of the municipality of Paudalho, have the right to an ecologically healthy and balanced environment and the maintenance of the ecosystem processes necessary for the quality of life, being the responsibility of the municipality and the community, defending and preserving it for the present and future generations of the members of the Earth community.”
Impact Statement
This was one of the first successful instances in Brazil of a municipality amending its organic law to grant rights to nature. It inspired other similar initiatives in the country. The law was also the basis for the city of Paudalho’s recognition of the cultural heritage of the San Severino Ramos Natural Water Spring.
Related Initiatives
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2025. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor.https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/amendment-organic-law-of-the-municipality-of-paudalho/.
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