Nature Should Have Legal Rights, says IUCN
The world’s largest environmental network, IUCN, has this week adopted motion 061 at its international nature conservation congress, calling on states to recognise ecocide, i.e. large-scale environmental destruction, as a serious crime under national and international law.
Text: Marika Griehsel
The motion was adopted by a clear majority of votes from states and authorities, and an overwhelming majority among non-governmental organisations and indigenous peoples’ organisations.
The decision reflects a growing global movement that questions the traditional view of nature as something that humans own or manage.
Instead, nature is seen as a living entity with its own interests, which has already had an impact on legislation in several countries, including Peru, New Zealand and even Spain. (see lagoon gets human rights)
The idea of legal rights for nature is gaining traction among researchers, activists and politicians in Sweden.
An interdisciplinary research project is currently underway at Chalmers University of Technology, investigating how life in and around Swedish lake Vättern would change if the lake were given legal status.
There are also plans to view the Baltic Sea in the same way, in order to protect the sea from continued exploitation and pollution. (Redefining the relationship with nature – Rights of Nature)
If more and more countries and people embrace the idea of the rights of nature, a new worldview can grow strong, where justice applies not only to humans, but also to the planet itself.
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Ecocide refers to large-scale environmental destruction and refers to actions that cause serious and extensive damage to ecosystems or habitats. There is an ongoing international movement to make ecocide an international crime, which would mean that individuals and companies could be held legally responsible for the worst forms of environmental destruction. The proposal is to add ecocide as a fifth crime to the Rome Statute, alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and crimes of aggression.
This would mean that those ultimately responsible for decisions that risk leading to large-scale environmental destruction could be brought to justice, either in their home countries or at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature is a global organisation for nature conservation and sustainable development. It works to preserve biodiversity, achieve climate goals and has coordinated the work of developing the international Red List of Threatened Species.
1,400 member organisations from over 170 countries are represented within the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Membership includes states, authorities, NGOs, indigenous peoples’ organisations and scientific institutions.
