As 2024 comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on a year of monumental victories for the Rights of Nature movement. From Spain to Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, the U.S., and Brazil, this year has demonstrated the growing momentum toward a world that acknowledges the inherent rights of the Earth.
Our collective efforts in 2024 have brought us closer to ensuring that ecosystems such as rivers and forests are enshrined as living beings by law. From historic court rulings to new laws, the strides we’ve made together are nothing short of inspiring. As you read through this year’s highlights, we invite you to join us in celebrating these victories and the ongoing fight to protect Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.
Celebrating 15 years of the Rights of Nature in Ecuador! 🌎🥳
Ecuador has become a model for the world in applying Rights of Nature to change paradigms since its recognition in the 2008 Constitution. ✊
Watch the full video to see our crucial wins during this time: https://youtu.be/h-kcjp3925Q
2024 in review: Highlights of the year
This year, the Rights of Nature saw progress in Perú, Spain, the U.S., India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Brazil, Ecuador, Germany, Colombia, Argentina, and more countries!
Check out our Rights of Nature timeline to learn more about each of these cases. These are some of the highlights:
- The Peruvian Court made history by recognizing the rights of the Marañón River thanks to the tireless efforts of the Kukama Indigenous women. More information.
- Lawyer Teresa Vicente was awarded the Goldman Prize for her fight for the rights of the Mar Menor lagoon in Spain. Learn more.
- The Tins River in Serra de Outes becomes the first river in Spain to be granted rights: More information.
- Aruba Minister of Nature submits draft amendment to recognize the Rights of Nature in their National Constitution. Learn more.
- Minnesota bill recognizes the rights of wild rice. Read more.
- Nature was recognized as an official artist on streaming platforms. More information.
- Indian Supreme Court rules in favor of forest protection and the Rights of Nature. Learn more.
- Mexico City’s Congress recognizes the Rights of Nature in local Constitution. More information.
- Rights of Nature motion submitted in the Netherlands. Learn more.
- North Carolina bill introduced to recognize the rights of the Dan River ecosystem. More information.
- Vermelho river in Brazil was granted legal rights by Goiás City Council. Read more.
- Waves were recognized as a subject of rights in Linhares, Brazil. Learn more.
- Machangara River in Ecuador was recognized as a subject of rights. A specific plan for the restoration of the Machángara River, with a basis on the Monjas River case was established. Learn more.
- A regional court in Germany recognizes the Rights of Nature in Diesel Emissions case, quoting the Machangara case. More information.
- Colombia passes law declaring Ranchería river as a subject of rights. Learn more.
- Rappahannock Tribe in Virginia becomes the first U.S. Tribal Nation to adopt Constitutional Rights of Nature. More information.
- Pico do Itambé and its mountain range in Brazil were declared a subject of rights by an amendment to the Organic Law of the city of Santo Antônio do Itambé. More information.
- Argentina recognizes the Rights of Nature for the first time: The judiciary in Resistencia, Chaco declared the Francia lagoon a subject of rights. More information.
GARN Highlights
This year, GARN’s efforts reached new heights, with increased global engagement and new partnerships to advocate for the Rights of Nature:
- Launch of our new membership program: Join GARN today to be part of a network of Earth defenders committed to protecting Nature’s rights. Join us!
- 15 Years of Rights of Nature in Action: Our listening and learning delegation to Ecuador was a resounding success; where we explored the country’s advances in protecting the Rights of Nature and participated in vital community discussions. Watch the video here.
- GARN championed the Rights of Nature at XI FOSPA (Bolivia), UNFPII and Climate Week (New York), COP16 at Cali, Colombia and more!
GARN made significant strides in advocating for the recognition and protection of Nature’s Rights across several major international events in 2024. Here are the key highlights:
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNFPII):
At the 23rd session of the UNFPII in New York, GARN officially launched its Indigenous Council, led by Casey Camp Horinek. As Julia Horinek noted, “The sameness of Indigenous Peoples’ relationship with Mother Earth… is a testament to the singing we feel in our blood.” More information.
XI FOSPA in Bolivia:
During the XI Pan-Amazonian Social Forum (FOSPA) in Bolivia, GARN presented the verdict of the Amazon Rights of Nature Tribunal, launched a campaign to recognize Amazonian rivers as subjects of law, and contributed to the FOSPA mandate, emphasizing the recognition of the Amazon and its waters as subjects of rights. Learn more.
Climate Week 2024 in New York:
At Climate Week 2024, GARN hosted impactful events focused on the intersection of the climate crisis, the Rights of Nature, and the Rights of Future Generations. This included the 6th International Rights of Nature Tribunal, dialogues on Indigenous leadership, and more. Learn more.
COP16 in Cali, Colombia:
At the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in October 2024, GARN presented the Amazon Rights Declaration to Colombia’s Minister of Environment and COP16 president Susana Muhamad, marking a significant step in advancing legal protection for the Amazon. GARN also made a compelling case for recognizing Antarctica’s rights, calling for international legal frameworks to safeguard this vital ecosystem. This was accompanied by powerful panels, cultural events, and widespread engagement from global leaders, Indigenous representatives, and youth activists. Read more.
Read the Amazon Declaration in English.
Lee la Declaración de los Derechos de la Amazonía en español.
- GARN Unveils White Paper on the Dangers of the Financialization of Nature
GARN launched a powerful white paper titled “The Financialization of Nature: A False Solution to Climate Change”, authored by Maude Barlow, a member of GARN’s Advisory Board, critiquing the financialization model, which treats Nature as a commodity for profit, exposing its harmful impacts on ecosystems, local communities, and biodiversity, and advocating for the Rights of Nature framework as an alternative. Access now.
Rights of Nature Tribunal
- 11th Local Rights of Nature Tribunal rules impacts caused by the current forestry model in the Biobío region in Chile as ecocide, citing violations of the Rights of Nature and devastating impacts from the 2023 forest fires, which burned over 479,000 hectares and deeply affected local communities and ecosystems. Learn more.
- Yesah Tribunal: Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Rights of Rivers
The Rights of Nature Tribunal held its 12th local hearing, the Yesah Tribunal, on June 1, 2024, at Haw River State Park in North Carolina, marking the first Indigenous-led Tribunal in global history. Organized with 7 Directions of Service and Movement Rights, the Tribunal addressed the Mountain Valley Pipeline’s (MVP) violations against rivers and land – a controversial 303-mile fracked gas pipeline facing over 500 permit violations and threatening sacred sites and ecosystems. Learn more. - 6th International Rights of Nature Tribunal called for an End to the Fossil Fuel Era at Climate Week NYC 2024. This urgent session gathered leading environmental defenders, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and human rights advocates to examine the human and environmental rights violations caused by the fossil fuel industry. From oil spills and mega-pipelines to coal mining and false solutions like geoengineering, the Tribunal shed light on the industry’s devastation and its complicity with governments and corporations and delivered a powerful message: the time for fossil fuels is over. More information.
- A Landmark Ruling Against Fracking in Vaca Muerta. In November, the International Rights of Nature Tribunal delivered its ruling on the Vaca Muerta fracking case in Argentina, exposing the severe environmental and human rights impacts of the massive fracking project in Patagonia, including the contamination of water and soil, significant damage to biodiversity, and the adverse effects on local communities who depend on these resources. Learn more.
- Ecocide by Monoculture in Corrientes, Argentina. Following the presentation of the Vaca Muerta verdict, the Tribunal visited Corrientes, Argentina, to hold a hearing on the impacts of monoculture plantations, particularly pine and eucalyptus, which are threatening local ecosystems and communities. The Tribunal examined how these plantations are displacing native flora, damaging biodiversity, and undermining local livelihoods. More information.
- Serbian Government and Mining Giant Found Guilty of Potential Ecocide in Homolje Region. The 14th Local Rights of Nature Tribunal convened a public hearing to address the grave environmental and social threats posed by gold mining activities in Serbia’s Homolje region, revealing the risks of deforestation, habitat destruction, and water contamination linked to proposed gold mining by Canadian company Dundee Precious Metals (DPM). A final ruling is expected in March 2025. Read more.
As we move into 2025, we remain steadfast in our commitment to advancing the Rights of Nature. The work is far from over, but with each passing year, we are closer to a world where Nature is no longer seen as a commodity to be exploited but as a living entity deserving of protection.
Make a Year-End Gift to Protect the Rights of Nature! 🌎
As we celebrate the victories of 2024, we look to you—our allies and supporters—to help us sustain this growing movement. Every step forward for the Rights of Nature, from historic court rulings to community-led initiatives, is powered by the passion and generosity of people like you.
Your donation directly supports vital advocacy, groundbreaking tribunals, and innovative campaigns to enshrine Nature’s rights into law worldwide. Together, we can amplify these victories and create a future where ecosystems thrive.
Donate today and join us in advancing the Rights of Nature movement into 2025 and beyond.
Your support makes all the difference. Thank you for standing with us and with Mother Earth. We couldn’t do this without you. Here’s to an even more impactful 2025!
