What if rivers, forests, and entire ecosystems had their own legal voice? That is precisely the question addressed by the European Citizens’ Initiative “Rights for Nature,” which officially entered the public campaigning phase in Brussels on 2 July 2026.

The initiative calls for a European legal framework under which ecosystems themselves can be legally recognized and granted their own legal status. The aim is to ensure that nature is not protected solely through the rights and interests of humans, but is instead given a stronger voice of its own.

The initiative also draws on existing examples. One such model is the Spanish lagoon Mar Menor, which became the first ecosystem in Europe to be granted its own legal personality.

Protect the Planet also supports the European Citizens’ Initiative “Rights for Nature,” both financially and organizationally. We are convinced that protecting the natural foundations of our lives requires strong legal instruments and new ways of incorporating nature into political and societal decision-making.

About the Citizens’ Initiative

Behind the initiative is a growing European movement. Partner organizations from 16 countries are involved in the joint effort and are working to raise awareness of the idea of rights for nature across Europe.

Building on existing successes

The network currently brings together eleven active movements across Europe, all of which demonstrate strong civic engagement:

• Spain: more than 600,000 signatures in support of rights for nature,
• Poland: 100,000 signatures in support of rights for the Oder River
• Sweden: more than 100,000 supporters for climate protection,
• Netherlands: a strong movement for the rights of nature,
• France: a strong network of committed organizations.
• Luxembourg and Belgium: established organizations that emerged from BirdLife
• that emerged from
• Romania: a civil society organization that has been active for many years
• organization that has been working to protect Roșia Montană
• Germany: a strong network spanning science, the arts, educational institutions, legal professionals, and civil society

This track record shows that Europe is ready for this change!

One million people for the rights of nature

The European Citizens’ Initiative was registered by the European Commission on 19 May 2026. This clears the way for a Europe-wide campaign and the planned collection of one million signatures starting in autumn 2026.

Why do the nature needs rights?

Climate change and biodiversity loss require new approaches.

The rights of nature grant ecosystems their own legal personality, allowing citizens to represent them in court. Instead of viewing nature as property that can be used or owned, we recognize ecosystems as subjects with their own rights—including the right to protection, restoration, and continued development. The Mar Menor lagoon, the first ecosystem in Europe to be granted legal rights, also demonstrates what an effective system of representation can look like.

The existing legal instruments for environmental protection are not intended to be replaced, but rather complemented by an approach that grants ecosystems themselves a legal status. This would allow rivers, forests, seas, and other ecosystems to be more strongly recognized as independent holders of rights.

This is an investment in a future in which humans and nature coexist as legal equals.

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More Informatione

• About the european initiative
• Webinar: Law as a driver of social transformation
• Rechte der Natur e.V. (german)
• Stop Ecocide International

European network partner:

• Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN)
• Notre Affaire à Tous (France)
• Stichting Rechten van de Natuur (Netherlands)
• Rechte der Natur e.V.
• Netzwerk Rechte der Natur e.V. (Germany)
• Eduardo Salazaar (Spain)
• Osoba Odra (Poland)
• Aurora (Sweden)
• Association Atlantique (Portugal)
• Natur an Emwelt (Luxemburg)
• Vogelbescherming (Belgien)
• Pachamama Romania (Rumänien)
• Peter Doran (Ireland)