Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Council has rejected the Rights of Nature motion, a transformative proposal by the B&NES Greens in collaboration with Paul Powlesland, barrister and founder of Lawyers for Nature. The motion could have significantly reshaped how the Council approaches its responsibility towards the natural world.
This bold initiative aimed to enshrine into the Council’s governance framework, a clause that advocates for the Rights of Nature, using existing UK laws to help better protect our local environment —such as rivers, woodlands, and green spaces. The motion would have empowered the Council to hold polluters accountable and strengthen local environmental protections, building on the Council’s legacy of pioneering green initiatives. It also included a request for the Leader of B&NES Council to write to Government, requesting new legislation to safeguard nature.
Outcome and Reactions
Following a vote on Thursday’s full Council meeting, the motion was rejected, with only 5 votes for, 39 against and 3 abstentions. The motion sparked strong reactions from across the community and local leaders.
Councillor Joanna Wright, Leader of the Green Group, expressed
“As Sir David Attenborough reminds us, we must protect the planet for all life on earth, not just for humans. By passing this motion, B&NES would have set a precedent and become the first UK council to formally advocate for Rights of Nature. I am disappointed with the result and comments made by opposition councillors towards this motion, who failed to see the vision, seemed focused on their existing human-centred smart targets and suggested that this was ‘animism by the backdoor’. Rights of Nature is not an abstract concept, conversations are taking place globally reminding humans that we are part of nature, not masters of it. Hopefully, this motion will ignite new conversations across local government and help elected officials realise their powers to use existing UK laws to ensure a resilient future for both people and nature.”
The vote came at a critical time, as B&NES grapples with ongoing environmental crises, from repeated pollution incidents in the River Avon to the destruction of green spaces for development. Simultaneously, the Council is reviewing its constitution through a new body, the Constitution Working Group. The motion had drawn support from residents, local activists and environmentalists, who emphasised its importance to combat environmental challenges while utilising pre-existing council bodies and legislation.
Councillor Saskia Heijltjes added:
“BANES LibDem group made it clear they didn’t want to be the first council to pass this motion. Apparently, this motion was too bold for a council that has adopted ‘bold’ as one of their four values in their corporate strategy. We now hope another council will be able to pass this motion and show how we need to be bold in order to protect nature.”
Next Steps
While the motion was not passed, the greens and environmental advocates across B&NES remain committed to finding alternative ways to protect the region’s natural ecosystems.
The motion captured the imagination of residents, especially younger voices who feel deeply connected to environmental issues. Local environmentalist Gracie Allen addressed the Council during the debate, pointing out the striking similarities between the disenfranchisement of youth and nature:
“Young people and nature are often left out of the decision-making processes that will shape their future’
Local and National Impact
The Rights of Nature concept is a radical departure from traditional, human-centred legal frameworks. If passed, it would have made B&NES a leader in the UK’s environmental movement, following in the footsteps of other regions like New Zealand and Ecuador, where similar rights are already protecting the Rights of Nature.
As the Council reflects on its decision, the Greens are committed to continuing the fight for a more sustainable, resilient future for all life on earth.