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.

Austria Citizens Initiative Petition: constitutional amendment for nature as a legal person

Location:Vienna, Austria

Status:Submitted in 2025

Legal Provision:Constitution

Nature Type:All Nature

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 →

Wealden (UK) Council Motion: rights of rivers and the River Medway

Location:East Sussex, England

Status:Approved in 2025

Legal Provision:Declaration

Nature Type:Freshwater Ecosystem

In July 2025, Wealden District Council in the UK passed a non-binding motion supporting rights of rivers and resolving to discuss a River Medway declaration.Read More →

Rother (UK) Council Motion: rights of rivers

Location:East Sussex, England

Status:Approved in 2025

Legal Provision:Declaration

Nature Type:Freshwater Ecosystem

On September 15, 2025, the Rother District Council in Sussex, England passed the Rights for Rothers Rivers Motion.Read More →

East Hampshire (UK) Council Motion: rights of rivers and chalkstreams

Location:Hampshire, England

Status:Approved in 2025

Legal Provision:Declaration

Nature Type:Freshwater Ecosystem

On November 27, 2025, the East Hampshire District Council passed a motion recognizing "the intrinsic rights of rivers within the jurisdiction of East HampshireRead More →

Rother (UK) District Council Motion: rights of trees

Location:East Sussex, England

Status:Approved in 2025

Legal Provision:Declaration

Nature Type:Forest, Fungi

On September 15 2025, a motion was submitted in the Rother District Council declaring the Council’s support for the growing global rights of nature movement,Read More →

France Environmental Charter Amendment: rights of nature

Location:France

Status:Submitted in 2025

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

In September 2025, a bill was introduced in the French Senate proposing an amendment to the Environmental Charter on rights of nature.Read More →

Italy Citizen Declaration: rights of the Venice Lagoon

Location:Venice, Italy

Status:Drafted in 2025

Legal Provision:Civil Society Declaration

Nature Type:Marine Ecosystem, Urban

On November 20 2025, a Declaration of the Rights of the Venice Lagoon was launched, recognizing the lagoon as a legal entity within a complex urban environment.Read More →

Finland Constitutional Citizens Initiative: fundamental rights of nature

Location:Finland

Status:Drafted in 2025

Legal Provision:Constitution

Nature Type:All Nature

On November 20 2025, a citizens’ initiative titled Hiljaisten oikeus — perusoikeudet kuuluvat myös luonnolle (“The Right of the Silent — Fundamental RiRead More →