🐾 Could Rights of Nature save Britain’s disappearing wildlife?

As biodiversity declines across the UK, this special evening debate will explore whether adopting a Rights of Nature framework could transform environmental protection — and what it would mean in a highly nature-depleted country.

📅 Date: Wednesday, 13 May 2026
🕡 Time: 18:30 – 21:30 (BST)
📍 Location: Royal Society of Chemistry, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BA
🔗 More info & registration: https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/content/rights-of-nature-policy-debate/

Organized by the British Ecological Society, the event will bring together ecologists, legal experts and policymakers for an interactive panel discussion followed by a drinks reception. 🥂

The debate will examine:

• What would Rights of Nature mean in the UK context?
• What role should ecological science play?
• Could stronger enforcement of existing conservation laws be more immediately effective?
• How do community guardians and local initiatives fit into this movement?

🎤 Panel Highlights

• Yadvinder Malhi – University of Oxford
• Caroline Howe – Imperial College London
• Natalie Bennett – Green Party of England and Wales (House of Lords)
• Paul Powlesland – Lawyers for Nature
• Chair: Adam Vaughan – The Times

👥 Who should attend?
Researchers, legal scholars, practitioners, policymakers, businesses, campaigners, and community groups interested in biodiversity governance, ecocentric law, and emerging environmental policy frameworks.

If cost is a barrier, the organizers note that limited additional funding may be available (see event page for contact details).