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.

Nockamixon (USA) Ordinance: corporate mining, bodily trespass, and democratic self-government

Location:Pennsylvania, USA

Status:Approved in 2008

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Nockamixon Township, Pennsylvania passed an ordinance recognizing rights of nature and banning corporate mining and chemical trespass in the township in 2008.Read More →

Bolivia Law: Rights of Mother Earth 2010

Location:Bolivia

Status:Approved in 2010

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

The Law of the Rights of Mother Earth in Bolivia dictates the specific rights inherent to Mother Earth and recognizes Mother Earth as a living being in 2010.Read More →

Newtown Township (USA) Ordinance: community rights and rights of nature

Location:Pennsylvania, USA

Status:Approved in 2009

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Newtown Township, Pennsylvania drafted an ordinance recognizing the rights of nature and banning certain types of land development in the township in 2008.Read More →

Ecuador court case: rights of the Tangabana páramo

Location:Chimborazo Province, Ecuador

Status:Failed in 2015

Legal Provision:Court Case

Nature Type:Freshwater Ecosystem, Grassland Ecosystem

Judges denied a 2014 lawsuit in Ecuador claiming the actions of the private company ERVIC S.A. violated rights of nature and rights of defenders of nature.Read More →

Packer Township (USA) Ordinance: sewage sludge and rights of nature

Location:Pennsylvania, USA

Status:Failed in 2012

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Supervisors repealed a 2008 Packer Township, Pennsylvania ordinance recognizing rights of nature and banning the corporate land application of sewage sludge.Read More →

Santa Cruz (USA) Ordinance: local control, pesticide and chemical trespass

Location:Santa Cruz, California, USA

Status:Drafted in 2008

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

CELDF drafted an ordinance for Santa Cruz, California recognizing rights of nature and residents’ right to be free from chemical trespass in 2008.Read More →

Shapleigh (USA) Ordinance: community water rights and rights of nature

Location:Maine, USA

Status:Approved in 2009

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Shapleigh, Maine passed an ordinance recognizing rights of nature and banning corporate mining of water in response to Nestle’s potential water mining in 2009.Read More →

Newfield (USA) Ordinance: community water rights and rights of nature

Location:Maine, USA

Status:Approved in 2009

Legal Provision:Legislation

Nature Type:All Nature

Newfield, Maine passed an ordinance giving nature personhood and banning corporate mining of water in response to Nestle’s potential water mining in 2009.Read More →