Rights of Nature
Recognizing legal Rights of Nature, with its roots in Indigenous traditional knowledge, has become a fast moving global phenomenon, gaining strength in new countries every few weeks. As of November 2022, more than 20 countries have recognized legal rights for ecosystems to thrive and regenerate their natural capacities, while holding polluters responsible for the damage they cause. The white paper illustrates that even the weak agreements forged during UN climate negotiations are not legally binding, while Rights of Nature offers legally enforceable protections for ecosystem protection that can curb fossil fuel production and other climate change accelerators, while empowering just economy transition strategies.