Ireland Contemplates Constitutional Amendment to Grant Protected Status to Nature, Paving the Way for the EU’s First-Ever Constitutional Rights for the Environment
The Irish government is contemplating a constitutional amendment to afford protected status to nature, potentially positioning Ireland as the first European Union member state to confer constitutional rights on the environment. Proposed by the Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action, the recommendation urges the government to proceed with a referendum aimed at safeguarding biodiversity, affording nature rights akin to those enjoyed by humans.
This initiative is a response to the findings of the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. It reflects a growing global trend within the Rights of Nature movement, which advocates for the acknowledgment of natural entities—such as trees, mountains, and rivers—as having inherent rights to exist, thrive, be respected, and regenerate. The movement also recognises the entitlement of individuals and organisations to safeguard and enforce these rights on behalf of nature, a concept previously embraced by certain South American countries.
New Zealand has already granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River, showcasing a precedent for acknowledging nature’s rights. The Rights of Nature movement gained momentum during a presentation by the Centre for Democratic and Environmental Rights before the Joint Committee in October, with support from Dr. Peter Doran of the Queen’s University Belfast School of Law.
Mari Margil, the executive director, lauded the committee’s recommendation, stating, “We congratulate chairperson Brian Leddin and the Joint Committee for its work and for taking this important step forward towards enshrining the rights of nature within Ireland’s constitution.” She expressed anticipation for the government and parliament’s subsequent actions and offered assistance in the process, as reported by BBC.
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