In April 2022, the Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss, comprising 99 randomly selected citizens and an independent chairperson, began its work to examine how Ireland can address the ongoing biodiversity crisis. Lawyers for Nature, in collaboration with Queen’s University Belfast School of Law and the Environmental Justice Network Ireland, provided expert advice on the potential for incorporating the Rights of Nature into Ireland's legal framework.
Lawyers for Nature proposed a 15-point recommendation, summarized as follows:
The Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss published a report with 150 recommendations, one of the most significant being the constitutional recognition of the Rights of Nature. This aligns with the advice provided, marking a pivotal moment in Ireland’s approach to biodiversity conservation. The report emphasizes the urgent need for the State to act swiftly to combat biodiversity loss and stresses that some necessary legal measures have yet to be implemented.
A key highlight from the Assembly’s findings is Recommendation 31, which calls for a referendum on a Constitutional amendment to recognize Nature as a holder of legal rights. This proposal received overwhelming support, with 75% of the Assembly members backing it. The report was hailed as “a call to action” by the Assembly’s chair, Dr. Ní Shúilleabháin, and stresses the need for urgent, transformative legal and societal changes to protect the environment for the benefit of both nature and humanity.
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Today we are pleased to publish a new report titled “Realising Rights of Nature: Conceptual Foundations for Legislation” by Alex May. This new report seeks to map out the breadth and depth of what Rights of Nature legislation could cover, including the different elements which a legislative framework would need, the different dimensions of rights and subjecthood, the different legal effects and areas of law which could be included, alongside some possible legislative models. Much of this is relevant for anyone thinking about how best to implant Rights of Nature.
We are excited to update you about our event on Monday at the Phoenix Garden next week on Monday 23rd September. We have planned an evening of talks and discussion to connect nature, law and practice for us all. There will also be some delicious nourishing vegan food. There are still some tickets available so if you’d like to join us, we’d love to have you. To get tickets, click here.
The festival is three days of discussions about converting radical ideas into practical action, around the focus of our relationship with the rest of nature. Presented by House of Hackney, it's a festival of ideas and coming together of passionate advocates for the regeneration of Nature for the quality of life of all future generations.