Create legal foundations for a regenerative society where all life thrives.
Use law to scale up systemic change to meet the EU’s 2050 goals and targets
Reverse planetary boundaries through strategic legal changes.
Transform our societal relationship with Nature for lasting wellbeing.
Transforming Law and Policy to Accelerate Systemic Change
The EU Environment Agency emphasises the need for urgent systemic change to meet 2050 goals. Achieving this requires ambitious law and policy changes that balance social, economic, and ecological challenges, with regeneration as the guiding principle.
In 2015, we began advocating for Nature's rights in EU law and policy. By 2017, we presented our Draft Nature’s Rights EU Directive to the European Parliament. Our efforts led to a seminal research study for the European Economic and Social Committee, Towards a Fundamental EU Charter for the Rights of Nature. The Nature’s Rights EU Charter, based on the Integrated Rights Framework, aims to achieve this balance.
The Integrated Rights Framework
The Integrated Rights Framework is based on a study we conducted for the European Economic and Social Committee, Towards a Fundamental EU Charter for the Rights of Nature.
It sets out a law and policy blueprint for a thriving regenerative society, evolving our current sustainability framework to include integrated collaborative rights, planetary boundaries and the UN SDGs. This approach emphasises the interdependence of ecological health, human well-being, and economic stability.
The Problem
Why the EU is Unlikely to Achieve Its 2050 Goals
There are several systemic issues that threaten Europe's ability to achieve its 2050 commitments. As stated by the EU Environment Agency, the EU will not meet its objectives by just promoting economic growth and managing harmful side effects with social and policy tools.
Short-term growth v/s long term sustainability
Socio-economic structures favor short-term economic growth over sustainability, hindering transitions to greener practices like low-carbon technologies and regenerative agriculture. Industries reliant on fossil fuels and resource extraction resist change due to perceived economic risks and inadequate support for regenerative innovations.
Lack of holistic solutions to complex issues
The fragmented approach to policy-making and EU governance exacerbates the challenge. Environmental policies often lack coherence and integration with social and economic strategies, hampering the development of holistic solutions for complex, interconnected issues like climate change, health, and social equity.
Lack of effective enforcement and follow-through
Policy intentions fall short due to gaps in implementation and incongruence across member states. Ambitious environmental targets face ineffective enforcement and follow-through, leading to inconsistent progress and compliance that undermine collective efforts to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
Expert Voices
How the EU Nature’s Rights Charter can Turn it Around
To meet 2050 goals, the EU Charter resolves these systemic issues by embedding ecological principles into the legal, economic, and social fabric of the EU, promoting consistent enforcement, redefining economic success, and fostering integrated, holistic law and policy-making aligned with planetary boundaries and SDGs.
Nature's rights as a legal foundation
Establishing Nature's rights as a legal foundation in the Charter would make environmental considerations paramount in policy-making. This framework would compel member states to align their laws with ecological principles, ensuring consistent progress and compliance across the EU. Enforcing these rights uniformly would make environmental policies legally binding with clear accountability mechanisms.
Nature's rights within economic and human rights frameworks
Embedding Nature's rights within economic and human rights frameworks would shift the socio-economic paradigm towards regeneration. This integration would redefine economic success to include ecological health, encouraging industries to adopt sustainable practices. The Charter would promote investments in regenerative technologies and resource management, supported by financial incentives and regulatory support, making sustainable models economically viable.
Incorporating planetary boundaries and SDGs
Incorporating planetary boundaries and SDGs into the Charter would ensure a holistic and integrated approach to policy-making and governance. This alignment would create coherence across various sectors, ensuring that social, economic, and environmental policies reinforce each other. Addressing interconnected issues through a unified framework would foster comprehensive solutions and systemic change, making sustainability the guiding principle across all levels of society and governance.
PATHWAYS FOR ADOPTION OF THE EU CHARTER
Along with extensive research and detailed proposals, the EESC study outlined 2 potential pathways for adoption.
1. Legal Route
The incorporation of the Charter into the EU Treaties, following art. 48 (2) TEU
This is the more powerful legal choice because it will be legally binding but it can be a more challenging process as it would require political consensus from the Member States to revise the treaties.
2. Policy Route
Non Legislative Adoption of the Charter by the EU Institutions
This is not binding legally but can be adopted with a shorter decision making process. It would still influence decision-making and mainstream new norms. This could then lay the ground for adoption pathway 1 in the future.
Achieving Europe’s 2050 Goals
The Charter will provide a robust and integrated framework that strengthens policy implementation, fosters innovation, scales up investments, and ensures a socially fair transition, helping the EU achieve its long-term environmental and sustainability goals.
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Restore Ecosystems and Reverse Planetary Boundary TransgressionsBy prioritising the rights of Nature as foundational, the framework ensures the preservation and regenerative management of ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity, clean air, water, and other essential resources. This leads to ecological resilience and helps reverse and mitigate the impacts of climate change and other ecological threats.
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Promote Social EquityIntegrating human rights and economic rights within Nature's rights fosters social equity and justice by recognising the interconnectedness of human societies with Nature. This approach promotes inclusivity, empowers marginalised communities, and addresses environmental injustices, ensuring that everyone has access to a healthy planet and opportunities for prosperity.
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Foster Global CollaborationRecognising planetary boundaries and UN SDGs in law fosters international cooperation for shared ecological and development goals. Aligning policies with these principles promotes synergies between countries, encourages knowledge sharing, and capacity building, enhancing collective efforts to tackle pressing challenges.
Shape the Future of Europe
Partner with Us to Introduce the EU Charter for Integrated Rights
We are launching a bold initiative to create a fundamental EU Charter that enshrines the Integrated Rights Framework at the heart of European governance. This Charter will establish a new paradigm that integrates economic, human, and nature’s rights, setting a powerful foundation for a just, regenerative, and resilient Europe. We are calling on forward-thinking individuals, organisations, and communities to partner with us in promoting this transformative initiative. Here’s why you should be part of this historic effort:
1. Lead a Groundbreaking Movement in European Policy
Join us in pioneering a new legal framework that will redefine the EU’s approach to rights and governance. By integrating the rights of people, nature, and economies, the EU Charter will set a new benchmark for balanced and sustainable policy, inspiring action across member states and beyond.
4. Access Strategic Resources and Advocacy Networks
Collaborate with a diverse coalition of changemakers, legal experts, and thought leaders dedicated to the Integrated Rights Framework. Benefit from exclusive resources, tools, and guidance designed to amplify your advocacy efforts and drive the Charter’s success.
2. Drive Systemic Change and Influence EU Decision-Making
As a partner, you will have a unique opportunity to help shape the Charter and influence EU policymakers. Your voice and advocacy will be crucial in pushing this initiative forward, ensuring that Europe leads by example in the global shift towards integrated rights and regenerative governance.
5. Mobilize Your Community and Inspire Action
Engage and empower your networks to support the EU Charter initiative. Your partnership will help raise awareness, spark dialogue, and inspire action at the grassroots level, creating a groundswell of public support for this transformative approach.
3. Enhance Your Profile and Impact Across Europe
Partnering with us positions you at the forefront of a transformative movement, enhancing your credibility as a leader in advocating for systemic solutions. Gain visibility and recognition as a key supporter of progressive change that aligns with the needs of people, nature, and the economy.
6. Be a Catalyst for a Regenerative Europe
This Charter is more than a policy document—it’s a call to reimagine Europe’s future. By partnering with us, you will help create a Europe that prioritizes regeneration over exploitation, building a resilient and equitable society where the rights of all life are respected and protected.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape the future of Europe. Partner with us to promote the EU Charter for Integrated Rights and be part of a legacy that redefines how Europe governs, regenerates, and thrives.
Together, let’s lead Europe into a new era of integrated rights and regeneration—become a partner today!
What legacy will you leave?
It makes no sense to destroy life's foundations for profit, only to fund disaster recovery later. Regenerative economies and cultures aren't just possible—they're necessary for a thriving future. Together, we can avert self-destruction and build a prosperous, regenerative society - if we act now. Unleash your power to shape our future consciously today!