Ecuadorians Block Constitutional Rewrite, Preserve Nature’s Legal Rights

Ecuadorians Block Constitutional Rewrite, Preserve Nature’s Legal Rights

By
Taylor Miller

Publish Date:November 17, 2025

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📰 The quick summary: Ecuadorian voters overwhelmingly rejected a presidential attempt to rewrite the constitution, protecting the world’s only constitutional recognition of the rights of nature that allows ecosystems to prevail in court against polluters.
📈 One key stat: Nearly 62 percent of voters opposed President Noboa’s request to convene a constituent assembly to overhaul Ecuador’s constitution, demonstrating strong public support for maintaining nature’s legal rights.
💬 One key quote: “This is a landmark victory not only for the Ecuadorian Indigenous and environmental movements, but also for the millions of people in Ecuador and around the world who stand for nature and democracy,” said César Rodríguez-Garavito, director of the More-Than-Human Life Program at New York University School of Law.

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1️⃣ The big picture: Ecuadorians have decisively rejected President Daniel Noboa’s attempt to rewrite their constitution, which contains the world’s only constitutional recognition of nature’s inherent rights to exist and regenerate. The referendum vote, with nearly 62 percent opposed, preserves legal protections that have allowed natural entities to prevail in court against government and industrial polluters since 2008. Noboa had claimed constitutional reform was needed to fight violent crime, but environmental groups suspected ulterior motives given his administration’s significant weakening of environmental protections while courting mining companies. Voters also rejected proposals to allow foreign military bases, reduce the legislature, and eliminate state funding for political parties.

2️⃣ Why is this good news: Ecuador’s constitutional rights of nature provisions remain intact, allowing wild animals, coastal ecosystems, forests, and rivers to maintain their legal standing in court against polluting industries. These landmark protections have inspired over 400 similar developments worldwide, including laws and court rulings in countries like Spain, Panama, and New Zealand. Indigenous and environmental organizations that protect more than 35 million hectares of Amazon rainforest can continue their vital work with constitutional backing. The referendum results demonstrate strong public support for environmental protection despite government pressure, sending a clear message that Ecuadorians value their country’s biodiversity and Indigenous territories over expanded resource extraction.

3️⃣ What’s next: The Noboa administration must now honor multiple referendum results, including the 2023 vote to end oil operations in the Amazon region that overlaps with Waorani territories. Environmental groups like Yasunidos have already filed lawsuits to enforce compliance with previous referendum decisions. Indigenous organizations will likely continue to use constitutional protections to resist planned oil and mining projects that threaten their lands.

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Read the full story here: Inside Climate News – Ecuador’s Voters Protect Rights of Nature, Reject Proposal to Rewrite Constitution

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