Switzerland Constitutional Initiative: sustainable development as a state aim in the constitution
In 1994, Marguerite Misteli Guided paved the way for Switzerland to enshrine sustainable development in its federal constitution.Read More →
Constitution
This page identifies initiatives that express ecological jurisprudence within a fundamental law governing the political and legal organization of a country (e.g., Federal Constitution) or of a State, Territory or Province within a Federal country (e.g., State Constitution).
Austria Citizens Initiative Petition: constitutional amendment for nature as a legal person
In November 2025 a petition concerning "Nature's capacity for independent rights – suggestion to amend the Federal Constitution and federal laws" was submitted.Read More →
Finland Constitutional Citizens Initiative: fundamental rights of nature
On November 20 2025, a citizens’ initiative titled Hiljaisten oikeus — perusoikeudet kuuluvat myös luonnolle (“The Right of the Silent — Fundamental RiRead More →
Iceland Constitutional Referendum of 2011
In 2011, the Constitutional Council submitted a draft to the Icelandic Parliament that included the rights of nature in an amended national constitution.Read More →
Lucerne (Switzerland) Constitutional Amendment: Rights of the Reuss River
In January 2026, the required signatures were submitted to the Lucerne government, to recognize River Reuss and other public water bodies as legal persons.Read More →
Rappahannock Tribe Constitution: rights of the Rappahannock River
On October 2024, the Rappahannock Tribe in Virginia became the first tribal nation in the U.S. to adopt a Tribal Constitution recognizing the rights of nature.Read More →
Brazil Constitutional Amendment: rights of nature
In January 2025, a proposed amendment to the Brazilian Federal Constitution (PEC) was submitted to the National Congress to recognize the Rights of Nature.Read More →
Finland citizens’ initiative: constitutional proposal for animal rights
December 2023, a citizen's initiative was submitted to the Finnish parliament that proposes adding animal rights to Finlands constitution alongside human rightsRead More →