Eight Groundbreaking Policies Win Award for Protecting Nature’s Rights
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📰 The quick summary: Eight pioneering policies focusing on living in harmony with nature received the World Future Policy Award, promoting long-term environmental protection and intergenerational justice.
📈 One key stat: Seven nations and one international agreement were recognized for creating future-oriented policy solutions that protect natural systems across 71% of our planet’s surface.
💬 One key quote: “Nature doesn’t need us, we need nature. And I think that’s the realization we are coming to quite slowly, because any act that we have has a positive impact on the planet. But also, if you’re not careful, every act could have a negative impact.”
1️⃣ The big picture: The World Future Council has recognized eight innovative policies from around the world that champion living in harmony with nature and respecting future generations. The winning initiatives span seven nations including New Zealand, Panama, Spain, and others, plus the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement affecting global oceans. These policies represent a paradigm shift in how humans relate to natural systems, moving away from dominance toward interconnection and guardianship. Many draw inspiration from Indigenous worldviews that see humans as inseparable from nature rather than superior to it. The awards highlight frameworks that consider long-term ecological impacts beyond short election cycles.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: These award-winning policies challenge the traditional Western legal framework that treats nature as a resource to be exploited. Instead, they recognize nature’s inherent rights and humans’ responsibility as guardians rather than dominators. The Rights of Nature movement has gained significant momentum globally, with examples like New Zealand’s Te Awa Tupua Act granting legal personhood to the Whanganui River. These legal innovations inspire similar initiatives worldwide, creating a ripple effect across jurisdictions. The policies represent a growing consciousness shift toward ecological justice that transcends national borders, potentially transforming how governments approach environmental protection for generations to come.
3️⃣ What’s next: The World Future Council plans to revisit earlier policy winners in about 10 years to assess their long-term effectiveness and evolution. The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction Agreement will enter into force in January 2026 after reaching its 60th ratification. Activists and lawmakers must continue connecting local environmental protection efforts to broader governance frameworks to sustain and expand these ecological justice movements.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – Pioneering policies and rights-of-nature rules win World Future Policy Awards
