The rise of Rights of Nature movement and its political implications in Ireland and beyond

Abstract

As global environmental crises intensify, movements advocating for the Rights of Nature are gaining momentum, aiming to reshape legal frameworks that have historically reinforced human domination over the natural world. This movement seeks to end the commodification of nature as mere resources for exploitation and to restore a more balanced relationship between humans and ecosystems – viewed by its advocates as essential for a political and legal revolution. Progress has been notable in countries such as Ecuador, Bolivia, and New Zealand, where indigenous rights movements have successfully championed the intrinsic value of nature; however, in Ireland – both North and South – Rights of Nature campaigns have emerged outside traditional indigenous contexts. Irish activists, identifying as ‘environmental protectors’, have mobilised to promote these rights, but paradoxically, projects deemed ‘green extractivist’, such as gold mining in the Sperrins, continue to be implemented despite some local councils passing motions to recognise the Rights of Nature. This contradiction highlights that the Rights of Nature need to go beyond legal recognition and involve broader political implications for decision-making processes, which warrant thorough examination. This paper critically assesses the current state of the Rights of Nature in Northern Ireland, exploring their implications, analysing relevant planning cases, and examining political developments since the adoption of these motions. It contends that the Rights of Nature framework provides environmental defenders with a complementary yet essential tool to anchor their anti-mining resistance and to promote greater participation in environmental law and governance.