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13 October 2026
Irish campaign aims to gather 10,000 signatures as part of a Europe-wide initiative to recognise the legal rights of ecosystems
The Irish campaign for the Rights for Nature European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) launches its signature collection today, 13 October, calling for a fundamental shift in how European law recognises and protects the natural world.
The campaign aims to gather 10,000 signatures in Ireland as part of a wider European effort to collect one million verified signatures from eligible EU citizens. The initiative calls on the European Commission to consider legislation recognising ecosystems as holders of legal rights, including the right to exist, thrive, regenerate and be restored when damaged.
For the Irish Wildlife Trust, Rights for Nature is closely connected to the movements for nature restoration and rewilding. Recognising the rights of ecosystems would represent a shift away from simply managing environmental damage towards creating the conditions in which wild nature thrives, and society enjoys the benefits of coexisting with diverse, functioning ecosystems.
Oisín Ó Néill, Nature Advocacy Officer with the Irish Wildlife Trust:
“The Irish Wildlife Trust fully supports the Rights for Nature movement. Rights for Nature recognises that nature has inherent value in its own right, including the right of ecosystems to exist, thrive, rewild and regenerate free from human interference. Achieving this requires systemic change in how we understand our relationship with the living world. Our laws must reflect the reality that ecosystems are not merely resources to be managed or exploited, but living systems with their own value and interests. Rights for Nature offers a way to give ecosystems a voice within our legal systems and defend their ability to flourish.”
Across Ireland and Europe, rivers, lakes, bogs and woodlands continue to face mounting pressures from pollution, habitat destruction, biodiversity loss and the extraction of natural resources. While existing environmental laws seek to regulate activities that damage nature, the Rights for Nature movement challenges the underlying assumption that ecosystems should be valued primarily for the resources and benefits they provide to people.
Companies have legal personality and can be represented in court. Rights for Nature asks why the ecosystems that sustain all life should not also have legal recognition and a means of representing their interests when their future is threatened.
Oisín Ó Néill, Abhcóide Dúlra leis an Iontaobhas Fiadhúlra na hÉireann:
“Táimid ag brath ar an dúlra le haghaidh gach ní, an t-aer a análaímid, an t-uisce a ólaimid agus na héiceachórais a chothaíonn an bheatha. Ní mór dúinn ár gcaidreamh leis an dúlra a athrú. Ní hacmhainní dúinn amháin iad aibhneacha, portaigh agus coillearnacha, ach córais bheo a bhfuil luach iontu féin. Tá sé in am a gcearta a aithint agus spás a thabhairt don dúlra athghiniúint agus bláthú.”
The idea of Rights for Nature is not new. The Irish Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss supported giving people an opportunity to vote on incorporating Rights for Nature into the Constitution. In 2022, Spain recognised the Mar Menor saltwater lagoon and its catchment as a legal person, providing a basis for representing and defending its ecological interests.
If the Rights for Nature ECI gathers one million valid signatures and meets the required national thresholds in at least seven EU Member States, the European Commission must consider the proposal and formally respond.
The Irish campaign brings together people from environmental organisations, civil society, legal and educational backgrounds, including the Irish Wildlife Trust, Green Foundation Ireland and Dr Peter Doran of Queen’s University Belfast.
The campaign is calling on people across Ireland to help reach the national target of 10,000 signatures and support a Europe-wide movement for a new legal relationship with the natural world.
Add your signature here: https://eci.ec.europa.eu/067/public/#/screen/home
To learn more and visit rightsfornature.ie
ENDS
Media Contact: Oisín Ó Néill, Irish Wildlife Trust Nature Advocacy Officer, oisin@iwt.ie
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