ECI for the Rights of Nature: A Chance for Democracy and Environmental Protection

A new European Citizens’ Initiative is in its nascent stages, striving to secure the formal recognition of nature’s rights across Europe. This would create an entirely new legal framework, strengthening and redefining environmental protection. Recognising the “rights of nature” requires that ecosystems and habitats are legally protected entities with their own rights—an approach that also actively involves local communities. Unlike traditional environmental protection measures, which focus primarily on imposing restrictions on human activities, the “rights of nature” concept shifts the legal focus to safeguarding the rights of natural entities themselves. This transformative approach acknowledges that nature, like humans, is worthy of legal standing and protection, rather than being treated merely as a resource to be managed or exploited.

One of the distinct advantages of this framework is the reversal of the burden of proof. Under traditional environmental laws, it often falls on advocates for the environment to demonstrate the harm caused by human activities—a process that can be costly, time-consuming, and difficult. With the recognition of nature’s rights, this burden would be reversed. Those engaged in actions impacting the environment would be required to prove that their actions do not violate the rights of natural systems. This shift would provide stronger legal protection for ecosystems and reinforce nature’s defense in the face of exploitation or degradation.

This initiative is part of a global movement. For instance, in Spain, the rights of the lagoon Mar Menor were legally established, supported by over 600,000 people in a Spanish citizens’ initiative. This success demonstrates that widespread support is achievable—and that the ambitious goal of one million signatures across Europe is realistic.

Beyond legal frameworks, the recognition of the rights of nature also fosters a deeper awareness of the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. Traditionally, human society has often viewed nature as separate from ourselves—a resource to be extracted, controlled, and consumed. The “rights of nature” perspective highlights the essential relationship between human well-being and ecological health. By recognising that we are embedded within and reliant upon the same ecosystems we seek to protect, this initiative encourages a paradigm shift toward more holistic and sustainable ways of living. Nature’s rights would not only protect ecosystems but also enrich our collective understanding of the shared responsibility we have to care for the planet, our home.

The “Rights of Nature” conference, held at the Freie Universität in Berlin on 10 and 11 November 2024 was a key moment in the inception of the ECI on this topic. During the conference, Carsten Berg, Director of The ECI Campaign, presented the instrument of the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) to the Network for the Rights of Nature.

The ECI on Rights of Nature offers a unique opportunity to combine democracy with nature conservation. It has the potential to bring the rights of nature to the political agenda, unite European movements, and sustainably revitalise the environmental debate across Europe and the planet. If you or your network would like to support this initiative, please feel free to get in touch.

More background on the topic of Rights of Nature:
Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)
Euronews article: “Spain makes history by giving personhood status to salt-water lagoon, thanks to 600,000 citizens”
BBC article: “Ireland could give nature constitutional rights”

Picture: Fabian Quintero, Unsplash