Handbook

This course provides an introduction to and critical overview of the emerging legal doctrine of the rights of nature. Against the larger context of Environmental Law, Earth Law, and the Anthropocene this course explores the philosophical origins and development of the doctrine, and examines a range of legal instruments giving effect to the radical but increasingly, widely supported, idea of legal subjecthood for nature. It explores rights of nature laws as a response to environmental law’s failure to halt, prevent or manage environmental degradation at local, national, and international levels. It examines the structure and core mechanisms of rights of nature laws, encouraging students to critically analyse their differences, strengths and weaknesses. It presents case studies in context, discussing the socio-legal context in which these laws have taken hold in individual jurisdictions. It provides students with the opportunity to delve into a real-world example and the intricacies of arguments in favour of and against recognising rights of nature, through a mock tribunal hearing held in the second half of the course. Students will also have the opportunity to develop their ideas and perspectives on rights of nature through a research essay as the final assessment for the course.