Advancing and defending

The rights of Nature worldwide

The Wild Law Institute is dedicated to pioneering laws and practices that ensure that people take responsibility for enhancing the health and vitality of Earth.

Rights of nature

Like human rights, these are conceived of as inherent, inalienable rights

That arise from the mere existence of the rights holder. This means that every being or aspect of Nature (including people) must, at a minimum, have the right to exist.

Wild Earth
Self-Determination

A system of democratic
self-determination

People aim to live well by contributing to the integrity and health of the ecological communities within which they live, and in which local communities have the right to decide how to do so.

Earth Jurisprudence

A legal philosophy that prioritises the health of the whole Earth Community

Imposes legal duties on humans to respect the legal rights of all members of that community to participate in maintaining its integrity, functioning, health and evolution.

Mission & Vision

Mission

The Wild Law Institute is dedicated to pioneering laws and practices that recognise and uphold the Rights of Nature, as a foundation for building ecologically sustainable and just societies. We are part of a worldwide movement consisting of indigenous and local peoples, legal experts, conservationists, organisations, and individuals from around the world who are united in their love for Earth and determination to work for the community of life.

Vision

We envision legal and governance systems aimed at enhancing human well-being through living in harmony within Nature, rather than driving the unsustainable exploitation of Earth in pursuit of endless economic growth. We imagine a world where the core purpose of law and governance is to safeguard and nurture the health and vitality of the entire Earth community. A world in which rivers, mountains, and all beings are recognised as having inherent, inalienable rights, respected not as resources, but as living members of a shared Earth system.

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Initiatives

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The Rights of Table Mountain / Hoerikwaggo

We are catalyzing an inclusive community-driven initiative that advocates for Table Mountain to be recognized as a living “more-than-human”

Declaration for Antarctica Rights

We are part of a movement to recognise Antarctica, and its associated and dependent communities, as an autonomous, rights-bearing community.

Biodiversity Law Centre

Series on Earth Jurisprudence

GARN African Hub

News

News

The Wild Law Institute is dedicated to pioneering laws and practices that ensure that people take responsibility for enhancing the health and vitality of Earth.

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Ecuadorians vote to halt oil drilling in biodiverse Amazonian national park

In a historic decision, Ecuadorians voted on Sunday to stop the oil drilling of the protected area within Yasuní National Park in the Amazon

Cormac Cullinan participates in online webinar on the Rights of Nature

On Wednesday 14 June, Cormac participated in the Daily Maverick's "should nature have rights?" webinar

Job opportunity: Programme Manager

WildLI is seeking a new Programme Manager to start in 2023.

What would a world that applies Earth jurisprudence look like?

FIND OUT MORE

A useful 'starting point' for mapping out what Earth centred governance can look like, is a bioregion.

Thomas Berry

Partners and Allies