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Rechte der Natur
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A view into Berchtesgaden National Park towards Watzmann and Hochkalter

Rights for Nature: join the movement!

We campaign for rivers, forests and ecosystems in Germany to get rights of their own.

Sign nowWhat does that mean?
A drop falls and makes ripples, filled with pictures of river, meadow, gravel and forest

What are the Rights of Nature?

Rights of Nature is a legal concept that goes back to Prof. Christopher D. Stone: nature is recognised as a legal subject.

Ecosystems and animals are then no longer just resources and means of production. They have a value of their own that deserves protection.

We need a fundamental shift in thinking, reflected in the law, that reshapes the relationship between people, the economy and nature.

  1. A voice of its own

    Nature can be represented in court, just like companies.

  2. A value of its own

    It matters before anyone uses it economically.

  3. A new way together

    Society, politics and business shape the future with nature, not against it.

Projects we work on

The Eschenfließ in the Spreewald: trees mirrored in still waterThe Leśna river winding through a meadow in Białowieża Forest, on the border between Poland and BelarusLow sun over the Altes Moor in the Der Loben nature reserve in BrandenburgAutumn on the Isar in Munich: gravel banks and colourful trees at the Flaucher

Photo: Jan-Herm Janßen, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bouke ten Cate, CC BY 4.0

Photo: Tanne1949, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Achim Lammerts (Syntaxys), CC BY-SA 4.0

  1. Together with residents and partners we campaign for the Spree to be recognised as a legal subject in its own right. The Spree needs rights and a strong voice in Berlin and Brandenburg.

    More about the Spree

  2. With the first EU-wide citizens' initiative for the Rights of Nature we build political pressure: for an EU law that gives nature a voice, backed by more than a million citizens.

    More about the initiative

  3. River, forest or moor: we help people stand up for "their" ecosystem with legal know-how, actions and political engagement.

    Get involved

  4. We look at how cities can anchor the Rights of Nature in their bylaws, and whether people could act as "trustees" for rivers or forests.

    Learn more

The people behind the association

Young lawyers and activists who want to bring the Rights of Nature into society and into German law.

  • Emmanuel Schlichter

    Emmanuel Schlichter

    Chair of the board

    „Rights of Nature is a legal innovation with huge potential for the shift to a sustainable society.“

  • Lucia Spuckti

    Lucia Spuckti

    Board member

    „Rivers, forests and whole ecosystems deserve protection and a voice of their own.“

  • Aika Lukas

    Aika Lukas

    Board, Head of Finance

    „Nature shouldn't only count once it can be used economically.“

  • Luise Betz

    Luise Betz

    Head of Communications

    „More protection for nature also means a better future for us and the generations to come.“

Sign for the Rights of Nature in Europe

With the European Citizens' Initiative we call on the EU to recognise ecosystems as holders of rights rather than property. If one million people sign and at least seven EU countries reach their minimum, the European Commission has to give an official answer.

53,583of 1,000,000 signatures

Live from the EU's official collection system.

344 days left

Collection closes on 13 October 2027.

Sign now (opens in a new tab)

Go to the European Commission's official page ↗