Jessica den Outer
Across Europe, a wind of change is blowing, signaling a fundamental shift in the way we relate to the natural world. From the towering Alps to the windswept shores of the North Sea, conversations about the Rights of Nature are gaining momentum. This wind has also reached the Netherlands, a country historically known for its complex relationship with water. As the debate over the Rights of Nature continues to spark across Europe, the Netherlands is emerging as a focal point in the discussion.
In the last few years, more voices have joined the call for recognising nature’s own rights in the Netherlands. With rising public awareness of the environmental crises we face — from biodiversity loss to poor water quality — the necessity of recognizing nature as a living entity with rights has never been more apparent. But what exactly does this movement look like in the Dutch context, and what initiatives are currently shaping its future?
The growing debate
While the Rights of Nature movement is relatively new in the Netherlands, it has deep roots worldwide, drawing inspiration from indigenous worldviews and legal advancements in countries such as Ecuador, New Zealand, and Spain.
In the Netherlands, the debate has been slow to take off but is now picking up speed. In part, I believe this delay is due to the country’s existing environmental protections and European regulations, which many believed were sufficient. However, as environmental degradation accelerates, it is becoming clear that current laws and policies do not go far enough. The problem does not so much lie in the law but the underlying worldview, which does not challenge the status quo. Nature is still treated as an object and its interests are not sufficiently taken into account in decision making. A rising group of citizens, lawyers and scientists are advocating for the Rights of Nature to be enshrined in law as a more profound and transformative approach to environmental protection.
Key initiatives in the Netherlands
Several key initiatives have been instrumental in driving the conversation on the Rights of Nature in the Netherlands. With ‘Stichting Rechten van de Natuur’ (Dutch NGO for the Rights of Nature) we find a grassroots movement is working to raise awareness and push for legal reforms. Here are just a few examples:
‘Maas in de Wet’ (River Meuse in the Law) –
The river Meuse flows through France, Belgium and the Netherlands. Advocates are calling for legal recognition of the river as a rights-bearing entity, much like the Whanganui River in New Zealand. This movement is motivated by the need to protect the Maas from pollution and exploitation, while ensuring it can continue to provide for the communities and ecosystems that depend on it. A petition with almost 10.000 signatures was presented to the government in 2022.
Rights of the Wadden Sea –
The Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is also at the center of Rights of Nature campaigns in the Netherlands. Its unique ecosystem is threatened by rising sea levels and human activities, such as oil and gas drilling. Politicians and scientists are exploring how recognising rights of this fragile region and installing a voice for it could enhance its protection and help secure its long-term survival.
Eijsden-Margraten: a local recognition –
In the municipality of Eijsden-Margraten, located in the southern part of the Netherlands, a pioneering initiative is underway to recognize the Rights of Nature at the local level. A political party presented a motion which asks the local municipality council to research how it could recognise and apply the Rights of Nature in decision making by for example installing a voice for Nature. This serves as an example of how local action can ripple outwards, because it has inspired about six other council members in municipalities across the Netherlands to follow suit.
A complete overview of all Rights of Nature initiatives in the Netherlands can be found here. These efforts are not only raising public awareness but are also encouraging legal experts to explore how Rights of Nature can practically be implemented. Internationally, these initiatives have not gone unnoticed. The Netherlands’ Rights of Nature movement has been highlighted in the recent report of the Harmony with Nature programme.
A Bright Future for Rights of Nature in the Netherlands?
As the conversation continues to evolve, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of the Rights of Nature in the Netherlands. Dutch citizens are becoming more engaged in environmental issues, and grassroots movements are gaining momentum. The tide is slowly turning toward a more equitable relationship between humans and the natural world.
While there is still much work to be done, the groundwork is being laid for a future where the Rights of Nature are not just an abstract concept but a legal reality in the Netherlands. With continued advocacy, education, and community involvement, we are hoping to join the ranks of those that have already recognized the Rights of Nature.
As a proud member of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, Stichting Rechten van de Natuur is part of a growing network of countries, organizations, and individuals committed to advancing this crucial cause. Through GARN, we have the opportunity to learn from others, which have already made strides in recognising legal rights of the natural world. At the same time, we are contributing our own insights and innovations to the international movement, creating a dynamic and collaborative environment for the growth of the Rights of Nature worldwide.
Change is coming
The wind of change is blowing across the Netherlands, bringing with it the possibility of a new legal framework that recognizes the intrinsic Rights of Nature. In the years to come, as more citizens, organizations, and lawmakers engage with this issue and with us, the Netherlands could hopefully officially join the stage in Europe’s growing movement for the Rights of Nature. We are very happy to explore partnerships and collaborations with others.
