Municipality of Groningen, Netherlands Initiative Proposal for Rights of Nature
In September 2024, an initiative proposal was presented to investigate in the Municipality of Groningen, Netherlands whether nature can be granted rights.Read More →
Personhood
This page identifies initiatives that explicitly recognizes any non-human element of Nature (e.g., ecosystems, plant species, animal species) as possessing legal personhood status. In doing so, these initiatives treat Nature like any other other legal person, like corporations, as opposed to recognizing unique rights of nature. Note that all initiatives included in the Personhood category are also included in the Rights of Nature category, but not all rights of nature initiatives are legal personhood initiatives.
Municipality of Linhares (Brazil) Law on the Rights of the Waves
In June 2024, the municipal council of Linhares in Brazil approved a bill that recognizes the waves at the mouth of the Doce River as entities with rights.Read More →
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 →
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 →
Sounds Right policy to recognize Nature as an official artist in music
In 2024, Nature became recognized as an official artist on streaming platforms, allowing Nature to be officially credited for it's sounds used in recorded musicRead More →
He Whakaputanga Moana Treaty (Declaration for the Ocean)
In March 2024, Pacific Indigenous leaders ratified the He Whakaputanga Moana (Declaration for the Ocean), which recognizes whales as legal persons with rights.Read More →
Hawaii U.S. Bill on the Rights and Legal Personhood of Watersheds
In January 2024, Hawaii introduced a bill to recognize legal personhood and rights of watersheds, in reflection of native Hawaiian traditional beliefs.Read More →
Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands
A group of scientists and attorneys developed a proposed Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands that recognizes rights and personhood of all wetlands.Read More →