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IUCN WCEL Rights of Nature Task Force

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IUCN WCEL Rights of Nature Task Force

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Vue d'ensemble et description

Description:

The Task Force on the rights of nature seeks to concretise IUCN’s engagement on the topic of rights of nature. It will engage, for instance, with some of the following questions:

  • The consequences ...
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The Task Force on the rights of nature seeks to concretise IUCN’s engagement on the topic of rights of nature. It will engage, for instance, with some of the following questions:

  • The consequences of granting legal personality to ecosystems, species or natural spaces and discussions around some of the specific rights that this may entail, such as the right to exist, to thrive, to regenerate, and to play their role in the web of life’
  • Considering ways of rethinking the relationship of humans with the environment towards understanding nature as having entitlements of it own;
  • Examination of the way rights of nature help rethink the place and role of nature, society and economy.
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Group leadership

Prof Philippe CULLET

Chair

Dr Philippe Cullet is Professor of international and environmental law at SOAS University of London and a Visiting Professor at the National Law University Delhi. He received his doctoral degree in ...

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Dr Philippe Cullet is Professor of international and environmental law at SOAS University of London and a Visiting Professor at the National Law University Delhi. He received his doctoral degree in law from Stanford University, an MA in Development Studies from SOAS University of London, an LLM from King’s College London and a law degree from the University of Geneva.

His publications reflect his engagement with international law and policy, the global South and India. He is an authority on law and policy related to water and sanitation, apart from his work on law and policy related to the environment, natural resources, climate change, development, justice and socio-economic rights.

His forthcoming books are the Oxford Handbook of Environmental and Natural Resources Law in India (OUP, forthcoming 2024) [co-edited with L. Bhullar & S. Koonan], and River Rejuvenation and River Rights: Evolving Debates in India (Orient BlackSwan, forthcoming 2024) [co-edited with Ruchi Shree].

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The idea of attributing rights to nature contributes to improving global governance to protect natural resources (e.g. biodiversity, forests, water) more effectively. If natural components were seen as subjects of rights, the integrity and diversity of nature could be conserved in more effective ways. This concept is broadly aligned with and would contribute to addressing identified planetary boundaries.

A number of countries have already enacted nature’s rights in constitutions, national statutes, and/or local laws. This, therefore, is not a new legal concept. For it to be fully effective, however, it needs to be explored in a more widespread manner. Further, the different initiatives from the local to the international level could benefit to be understood through a common lens and common terms.

IUCN’s Members adopted a Resolution at the World Conservation Congress in 2012, which tasks the Director General to initiate a strategy for dissemination, communication and advocacy on rights of nature. This Task Force takes this mandate forward.

At a glance

Official name:
IUCN WCEL Rights of Nature Task Force
Associated Commissions:
Commission mondiale du droit de l’environnement
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