BBC – Ireland could become the first country in the EU to enshrine the rights of nature into its national constitution.
The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action has recommended the government advance a referendum on protecting biodiversity.
The move would see nature bestowed with rights comparable to those of people.
It came in response to a report from the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss., external
The Rights of Nature movement has grown in recent years.
It seeks to have elements of nature, such as trees, mountains and rivers, recognised as entities with rights to exist and flourish, to be restored, regenerated and respected.
And it also recognises the right of any person or organisation to defend, protect and enforce those rights on behalf of nature.
For example, New Zealand has granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River.
Countries in South America have made similar declarations.
The Center for Democratic and Environmental Rights, external appeared before the Joint Committee in October to testify about why the rights of nature needed to be recognised.
The team was supported by Dr Peter Doran of the Queen’s University Belfast School of Law.
