Photo credit: Anselm Ebulue via Positive News
We wanted to share some positive news from the world of Rights of Nature. It’s these moments that remind us why we’re reimagining the law for Nature—ensuring it has the opportunity to thrive and flourish, just as it should. These principles are at the core of what we do at Lawyers for Nature.
So, why are we so cheerful?
The seeds that have been planted with river interventions are starting to show impressive green shoots and Rights of Nature are being considered by the Welsh Government.
The River Roding
As you might know, our co-founder Paul Powlesland lives on the River Roding and acts as a River Guardian there…
After lots of hard work and collaboration The River Roding has officially been given a ‘Voice of the Roding’ on the Roding, Beam, and Ingrebourne Catchment Partnership. This is a huge step forward and will mean that the Roding will have a representative to speak on behalf of the river and ensure that it has a say in decisions that affect its future. This achievement has been advocated for by Paul, who founded the River Roding Trust and drafted the Declaration of Rights of the River Roding.
Will Oliver, who co-hosts the Catchment Partnership said they have voted in favour of appointing someone to represent the voice of the River Roding at future quarterly meetings. Right now, there’s an open vacancy for this vital role, which has been publicised here. If you—or anyone you know—think you have what it takes to represent the river’s interests, this is your chance to make a real difference. Apply now and be the voice of the River Roding!
The River Ouse
The River Ouse has become the first river in the UK to have its rights recognised. Lewes District Council has championed a Charter of Rights to protect its biodiversity and health. Recognising its right to biodiversity, freedom from pollution and decision making.
Our friends at the Environmental Law Foundation (ELF) collaborated with local community group Love Our Ouse (LOO), and various environmental organisations, along with pro bono legal support from Hogan Lovells. Together, they worked to develop the River Ouse Rights Charter, which empowers local communities to advocate for the river and hold polluters accountable.
“This is just the beginning,” said Emma Montlake of ELF. The next phase will focus on implementing the Rights Charter and creating a governance structure that ensures the river’s voice is heard and its well-being protected for generations to come.
Rights of Nature reaches the Welsh Government
We are excited about the recent recommendations from a report commissioned by the Welsh Government. It suggests that Nature should be considered a ‘key stakeholder’ in decision-making when it comes to flood policy- which is definitely a step in the right direction!
National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) Report:
The NICW, established in 2018, offers independent advice to Welsh Ministers on Wales’ long-term infrastructure needs, aiming to provide strategic and impartial recommendations on challenges like flooding and building a more resilient future.
The "Building Resilience to Flooding in Wales by 2050" report was commissioned by the National Infrastructure Commission for Wales (NICW) in 2023. The primary purpose of the report was to provide a comprehensive and strategic approach to flood risk management in Wales, looking ahead to 2050.
The report calls for action, one notable recommendation (No. 3) is the incorporation of Nature as a key stakeholder in decision-making, stating that by 2028 the government should ‘set up the mechanisms to incorporate Nature as a key stakeholder within flooding policy and in implementation.’
The section on "Nature as a Stakeholder" in the report highlights the importance of incorporating Nature into flood management strategies. This includes giving Nature a voice in decision-making and exploring ways to enshrine natural assets in law, potentially through updates to the Environment Act 2015, to grant rights to natural assets. The report emphasises the value of Nature-based solutions, such as restoring wetlands and protecting floodplains, in improving flood resilience. They state: “This recommendation ensures that Nature is taken into account at the highest possible level.”
The Government’s response:
The recent response from the Welsh Government demonstrates they are taking this recommendation seriously, and whilst the legal change to enable assets to be enshrined in law may not be feasible imminently, they have said this:
“This is an interesting and useful proposition, and merits further consideration. Its implications need to be more fully understood. It does involve legal change, and again full implementation may not be feasible before 2030. However, it should be possible to introduce mechanisms for progressing the recommendation in the interim….”
The report highlighted our work with Faith in Nature and the Earth Law Centre. Putting Nature on the Board was used as a case study to demonstrate how Nature can be given a seat at the table and how incorporating Nature into decision-making processes can positively reshape governance structures. It’s exciting to see how this work is not only gaining traction but also influencing others in meaningful ways.
At Lawyers for Nature, we’ve been at the forefront of advocating for Nature’s place in governance structures for the past four years. To see this idea being seriously considered at government level is a huge step forward. It is proof that the movement is gaining momentum and that the voice of Nature is starting to be heard where it matters most.
We’re currently noticing the first signs of spring. Daffodils and crocuses are beginning to emerge from the earth, and the sun is finally making an appearance through the grey skies. It’s a joyful reminder of the changing seasons and is fitting with these positive developments.
If you are interested in discussing creative projects around Rights of Nature or Nature Governance we would love to have a conversation with you, get in touch.
.svg){kind=icon}
