At a time when planetary boundaries are being exceeded, original approaches are possible as part of a new dynamic, in favor of sustainable trajectories. These will only take place if they benefit to nature as a whole and reflect a profound paradigm shift: to restore its rightful place to the living – human and non-human – and ensure the habitability of the planet for the entire biosphere, by reducing the pressure of humanity on resources and ecosystems.

One possible way to respect and protect both nature and human rights is to emancipate from an anthropocentric and Western-centered approach of development, and move towards an “ecocentric logic”, in line with the cosmologies of indigenous peoples. This means considering the living – human and non-human – as a whole. To contribute to this transformational dynamic, recognizing the rights of nature is one of the key levers of action of the international community and its nations. At COP 15, this approach was clearly enshrined in the Kunming-Montreal Declaration (Section C. § 7): “Nature embodies different concepts for different people, including biodiversity, ecosystems, Mother Earth, and systems of life. Nature’s contributions to people also embody different concepts, such as ecosystem goods and services and nature’s gifts. Both nature and nature’s contributions to people are vital for human existence and good quality of life, including human well-being, living in harmony with nature, and living well in balance and harmony with Mother Earth. The Framework recognizes and considers these diverse value systems and concepts, including, for those countries that recognize them, rights of nature and rights of Mother Earth, as being an integral part of its successful implementation.”

The proposed event is an opportunity to hear from a variety of stakeholders and institutions participating to the recognition and expansion of the nature’s rights movement. The speakers will come from public sphere (States or local authorities), organized civil society, local communities and indigenous peoples, academia and research, multilateral organizations and development donors. Their consistent commitment and action increasingly highlights the advances in the rights of nature recognition, brings more clarity to the underlying issues and offers a set of successful solutions.

This session will emphasize the added value of the rights of nature as a solution to the ecological crises and for the preservation of the populations’ fundamental rights. It also aims at presenting good practices, challenges and perspectives on this topic, based on several regional initiatives or legal instruments (Escazù Agreement for example).  Finally, it will be a unique opportunity to promote a an international network of stakeholders committed to the recognition of the rights of nature, in order to promote dialogue, develop new initiatives and foster the visibility of this issue. 

To introduce this session, AFD will present a book it has just released, which provides 25 case studies of implementation of rights of nature worldwide, with local experts’ interviews (Latin America, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe). The book also addresses the history of rights of nature and their interrelations with the preservation of public goods, the defense of human rights and in particular women’s rights, within the predominant economic model. Initially published in French, will be available in English and Spanish by the COP16. Available here: https://www.afd.fr/fr/ressources/droits-nature-hors-serie-prospective

2 to 3 questions will be asked to each speaker, focusing on their scope of activity and fostering a cross-discussion. At the end, 20 minutes will be devoted to debate with the public. 

Speakers:

Farid Lamara, Strategic Advisor at AFD: Presentation of the collective book « Rights of nature » published by AFD (2024)

Yenny Vega Cardennas, President of the International Observatory on Nature Rights: Global perspective for the recognition of nature rights - progresses, challenges, priorities and recommendations

Hugo Echeverria, Ecuadorian lawyer, member of the UN Harmony with Nature and the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law: Regional perspective for the recognition for nature rights in Latin America. Example of the Escazù Agreement and importance of public policies on the right to a healthy environment, with the case of Ecuador 

Allianza NorAmazonica or Gaia Amazonas Foundation representative : Central role of indigenous peoples in the recognition of the rights of nature, with focus on ancestral knowledge and indigenous cosmogonies to reinvent the way of preserving and inhabiting territories. Highlight the cross-cutting issues of indigenous and nature rights and their intimate linkages

Edgar Mora, former Minister of Education in Costa Rica, Mayor of Curridabat from 2007 to 2018 and Global Ambassador of «The World Bee Project» : Design and implementation of urban policy, with environmental and nature rights recognition - case of the city of Curridabat, Costa Rica

Victor David, Researcher at IRD : Achievements, challenges and perspectives of nature rights in the Mediterranean area and Oceania

Conclusion: Rémy Rioux, French Development Agency, CEO - Valérie Verdier, French Institute for Research and Development, President and CEO (tbc)