Rights for nature across Europe
With the European Citizens' Initiative we're calling for an EU law that recognises ecosystems as holders of rights, not as property. If one million people sign and at least seven EU countries reach their minimum, the European Commission has to give an official answer.
Photo: Stefano Travasci, CC BY 4.0
What it's about
Rivers, forests, moors and seas across Europe are in crisis, despite environmental laws. That's why, for the first time, we're collecting signatures across the EU for the Rights of Nature.
Our goal: an EU directive that gives ecosystems rights of their own. And gives you a voice to defend them.
55,754of 1,000,000 signatures
Live from the EU's official collection system.
9,485of them from Germany
Signatures from 27 EU countries, as of 4 November 2026.
343 days left
Collection closes on 13 October 2027.
What we demand
To the European Commission
Photo: Juan Emilio Prades Bel, CC BY-SA 4.0
Rights for ecosystems
Rivers, forests and wetlands get the right to exist, to regenerate and to be restored. They have a value of their own, not only once they are used.
Legal personality
Ecosystems become legal persons, much like companies. That way nature can actually claim its rights.
People as the voice of nature
Citizens, communities, NGOs and scientists can represent ecosystems and take their case to court. The model is Spain's Mar Menor.
It could start in Natura 2000 areas, the EU's protected sites, and then reach other ecosystems.
It's already happening
A 2019 report by the UN Secretary-General calls Earth jurisprudence, the thinking behind the Rights of Nature, “the fastest growing legal movement of the twenty-first century”.↗
Around 20 countries
Around 20 countries worldwide have given rivers, forests or glaciers rights. Ecuador in its constitution, New Zealand by law, Colombia and India through the courts.
Overview by the United Nations ↗Spain's Mar Menor
Since 2022 the lagoon and its basin have been a legal person, the first ecosystem in Europe. In 2024 Spain's constitutional court upheld the law.
The law in Spain's official gazette ↗From the Loire to the Spree
France has a Parliament of the Loire, in Poland nearly 100,000 people signed for the Oder, and Belgium is working on the Sambre. Here, it's the Spree.
More about the Spree →
Who's behind it
Rechte der Natur e.V. coordinates the initiative from Germany. Organisations and citizens from 14 EU countries carry it with us. Emmanuel Schlichter, chair of our board, represents it towards the European Commission.
What has happened so far
Rights for Nature: Meet the Movement
Strasbourg and online
View the eventThe European Commission registers the initiative
That clears the way: the citizens’ initiative may collect signatures.
In the EU’s registerA Day for the Rights for Nature at the European Parliament
European Parliament, Brussels
View the eventWelcome Session: September 2026
Online
View the eventSignature collection begins
From now on, the initiative has one year to collect a million signatures from across the EU.
In the EU’s register
In the media
How to take part
Sign online
On the EU's official collection system. Only there does your signature count.
Sign now (opens in a new tab)Show your ecosystem
Post a story of the river, forest or moor you care about, and tag @rightsfornature_eu.
Go to InstagramCollect on paper
Download the signature list and collect signatures among the people around you.
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