At Thursday’s full Council, Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES) Greens, in collaboration with Paul Powlesland from Lawyers for Nature, introduced the revolutionary Rights of Nature motion that could transform how the Council protects its environment. This bold initiative challenges conventional approaches by recognising nature’s legal rights and could establish B&NES as a leading force in environmental protection across the UK.
The Rights of Nature concept is a radical shift from traditional human-centred legal frameworks. It grants natural ecosystems—such as rivers, woodlands, and green spaces—legal personhood, ensuring they are defended against harm in the same way human rights are. This motion would allow nature to be better represented, holding those who damage the environment fully accountable. Similar frameworks are already protecting the Te Awa Tupua River in New Zealand.
Councillor Joanna Wright, Leader of the Green Group, explained why this motion is essential:
“As Sir David Attenborough has said, ‘It’s surely our responsibility to do everything within our power to create a planet that provides a home not just for us, but for all life on Earth.’ By embedding Rights of Nature into our Council’s operations, we are not only safeguarding the environment for future generations but creating a more resilient and sustainable community for all of us today.”
This motion arrives at a critical time for Bath and North East Somerset, which has been hit hard by ongoing environmental crises. The River Avon, a vital waterway running through the region, has suffered repeated pollution incidents from untreated sewage discharges, devastating local wildlife and endangering public health. The destruction of trees and green spaces to make way for development has further compromised biodiversity and made the area more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
The increasing frequency of flooding, worsened by climate change and poor land management, has not only damaged property but also disrupted communities across the district. These issues underscore the urgent need for the Rights of Nature framework, which would give B&NES the legal power to prevent such environmental damage and hold polluters to account.
B&NES has long been a pioneer in environmental action. The Council was among the first in the UK to declare a Climate Emergency in 2019, committing to carbon neutrality by 2030. It has implemented initiatives like the Clean Air Zone to tackle pollution and reduce carbon emissions, as well as championing sustainable transport and renewable energy projects.
The Rights of Nature motion builds on this legacy of leadership, taking the Council’s environmental commitments to the next level. By recognising nature’s legal rights, B&NES would continue to spearhead a movement for more responsible, future-proof governance, setting a powerful example for other councils to follow.
Councillor for Farmborough and Clutton, Sam Ross, emphasised the significance of the motion:
“The climate emergency is already affecting us here in B&NES, from more frequent floods to the loss of our green spaces. By passing this motion, we are taking meaningful action to protect our natural environment. Rights of Nature gives us the legal tools to safeguard nature’s interests and ensure they are treated as equal to our own.”
The motion asks the Council to commission a report on how to integrate Rights of Nature into its everyday operations, from planning and development to environmental protection. Immediate actions proposed by the Greens include appointing a dedicated sewage officer to monitor pollution in local rivers and issuing Tree Preservation Orders across all council land to stop unnecessary tree loss. These practical steps would be a vital starting point for addressing the most pressing environmental issues facing the area.
The Greens also urges B&NES Council to advocate for national legislation supporting Rights of Nature, calling on the UK Government to enact stronger environmental protections that reflect the urgent need for change.
The Rights of Nature motion represents a bold new chapter for Bath and North East Somerset. With this legal framework enshrined in its governance, the Council would not only be protecting the local environment for future generations but also reinforcing its role as a leader in environmental action.
Paul Powlesland, barrister and founder of Lawyers for Nature, added:
“Local councils that care about the natural world have a huge opportunity to implement the Rights of Nature in their actions, decisions & the way they manage their own land.
I hope deeply that Bath & North East Somerset Council has the bravery & imagination to pass this motion & thereby be a UK pioneer in the Rights of Nature movement that is currently unfolding across the world.”
Gracie Allen, a local environmentalist, stated:
“There is a big similarity between the youth voice and nature and not one you have probably thought of before. In conversations about planning and different motions you put the council through often young people and nature will be the most impacted by your decisions but when was the last time you had a young person involved in the conversations from the beginning and on an equal level to everyone in the conversation?”