Rights Of Nature

This page identifies initiatives that frame ecological jurisprudence in terms of rights of nature. Initiatives are included in this category when they explicitly recognize any non-human element of Nature (e.g., ecosystems, plant species, animal species) or Nature in general as a subject with rights.

Yucatan Mexico case lawsuit seeking recognition of the Ring of Cenotes as subjects of law with rights

Country:Mexico

Status:Submitted in 2023

In 2023 the Mayan community of Homún, Yucatán, Mexico filed a lawsuit in federal court for recognition of the Ring of Cenotes as subjects of law with rightsRead More →

Lewes England Citizens Declaration on the Rights of River Ouse Charter

Country:United Kingdom

Status:Drafted in 2022

During the 2022 'Love our Ouse River Festival' citizens of Lewes drafted a ‘Rights of River Ouse Charter’ to use as a framework for upholding the river's rightsRead More →

Lewes England District Council Motion on the Rights of the River Ouse

Country:United Kingdom

Status:Approved in 2023

February 2023, Lewes District Council passed the first Rights of River motion in England – the first step towards creating a Rights of River Ouse CharterRead More →

San Juan County U.S. Proclamation of the Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas

Country:United States of America

Status:Approved in 2023

February 2023, San Juan County, Washington signed a Proclamation declaring the rights of the Southern Resident OrcasRead More →

Jefferson County U.S. Proclamation of the Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas

Country:United States of America

Status:Approved in 2023

January 2023, Jefferson County, Washington signed a Proclamation declaring the rights of the Southern Resident Orcas including the right to life and autonomyRead More →

Bainbridge Island U.S. Proclamation of the Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas

Country:United States of America

Status:Approved in 2023

February 2023, Bainbridge Island, Washington adopted a Proclamation declaring the rights of the Southern Resident Orcas including the right to life and autonomyRead More →

Langley U.S. Proclamation of the Rights of the Southern Resident Orcas

Country:United States of America

Status:Approved in 2023

Dec 2022, Langley, Washington signed a proclamation declaring the rights of the Southern Resident Orcas including the right to life, autonomy, and freedomRead More →

Netherlands Petition to Recognize Rights of Maas River

Country:Netherlands

Status:Drafted in 2023

Citizens in the Netherlands have a petition calling on the House of Representatives to recognize the Maas River as a subject with rights.Read More →