Finland Citizens Initiative Constitutional Proposal on 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 →
Europe
This page identifies ecological jurisprudence initiatives that exist in Europe. For the purposes of delineating boundaries, we define Turkey, Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan as constituting the Eastern boundary of Europe.
Nijmegen, Netherlands Motion for the Rights of Nature
In April 2024, a 'Rights for Nature' motion was submitted to the Nijmegen city council in the Netherlands to recognize rights and legal personality for Nature.Read More →
Germany court case on behalf of seals in the North Sea 1988
In 1988, for the first time, "seals in the North Sea" sued the Federal Republic of Germany over dumping of toxic waste in the North Sea.Read More →
Town of Serra de Outes (Galicia) Spain Declaration of the Rights of the Tins River
In March 2024, Serra de Outes in Galicia adopted a Declaration of the Rights of the Tins River—making it the first river in Spain to have its rights recognized.Read More →
The Rugvin Foundation appoints Sedna the Porpoise to its Board
In February 2024, Sedna the Porpoise joined the board of the Rugvin Foundation, a Dutch NGO that researches and monitors whale species in the North Sea.Read More →
House of Hackney legally appoints Mother Nature and Future Generations to its Board of Directors
In November 2023, House of Hackney appointed Mother Nature and Future Generations with legal personhood on their board, as directors.Read More →
Nordic Council recommendation to member governments to criminalize ecocide
On November 2, 2023 the Nordic Council adopted a recommendation to the Nordic governments to criminalize ecocide at the international level.Read More →
Iceland proposal for a parliamentary resolution on ecocide
On March 22, 2022, an ecocide resolution was submitted to Iceland's national parliament calling for the government to recognize ecocide in national legislation.Read More →