MENU

Home

About Us

Directors & Team

Our Movement

Advancing and defending

The rights of Nature worldwide

The Wild Law Institute is dedicated to pioneering laws and practices that ensure that people take responsibility for enhancing the health and vitality of Earth.

LEARN MOREADVOCACY

Rights of nature

Like human rights, these are conceived of as inherent, inalienable rights

That arise from the mere existence of the rights holder. This means that every being or aspect of Nature (including people) must, at a minimum, have the right to exist.

LEARN MORE

Wild Earth
Self-Determination

A system of democratic
self-determination

People aim to live well by contributing to the integrity and health of the ecological communities within which they live, and in which local communities have the right to decide how to do so.

LEARN MORE

Earth Jurisprudence

A legal philosophy that prioritises the health of the whole Earth Community

Imposes legal duties on humans to respect the legal rights of all members of that community to participate in maintaining its integrity, functioning, health and evolution.

LEARN MORE

Mission & Vision

Mission

Our mission is to develop governance systems for ecologically sustainable and just societies by pioneering the application of Earth jurisprudence and advancing the recognition of the rights of Nature.

Vision

We envision legal and governance systems in Africa and around the world that guide people to live fulfilling lives and enhance the health and vitality of Earth by living harmoniously with, and respecting the rights of, every member of the Earth community.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Initiatives

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

The Rights of Table Mountain / Hoerikwaggo

We are catalyzing an inclusive community-driven initiative that advocates for Table Mountain to be recognized as a living “more-than-human”

READ MORE
Declaration for Antarctica Rights

We are part of a movement to recognise Antarctica, and its associated and dependent communities, as an autonomous, rights-bearing community.

READ MORE
Biodiversity Law Centre

Series on Earth Jurisprudence

GARN African Hub

VIEW ALL INITIATIVES

News

News

The Wild Law Institute is dedicated to pioneering laws and practices that ensure that people take responsibility for enhancing the health and vitality of Earth.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla.

Webinar: Exploring legal personhood for Antarctica and the Southern Ocean

We’re excited to share the recording of our webinar on the Draft Antarctica Declaration, a groundbreaking step toward a Rights of Nature framework for the region.

READ MORE
Job opportunity: Interns

Two internship positions available immediately at the Wild Law Institute.

READ MORE
Cormac Cullinan wins the prestigious Shackleton Medal for the protection of the Polar Regions

Cullinan's radical plan to protect Southern Ocean and Antarctica through Antarctic Rights Initiative wins recognition for courage and leadership.

READ MORE
VIEW ALL NEWS STORIES

RIGHTS OF NATURE

Resources

CATEGORIES

Documents

The Madrid Protocol: Protecting Antarctica’s environment

The Madrid Protocol is an international agreement that designates Antarctica and its dependent and associated ecosystems as a natural reserve, dedicated to peace and science. It establishes stringent environmental protections, including a comprehensive ban on mineral resource activities, and provides the framework for managing human activity within the Antarctic Treaty System. Notably, the Protocol affirms the "intrinsic value of Antarctica", recognising that its significance extends beyond human use.

Antarctica Declaration

The Antarctica Declaration recognises that all Antarctic beings have rights and aims to strengthen support for Antarctica through global action and eco-centric governance.

Films and videos

Shackleton Medal 2025: Full interview with winner Cormac Cullinan

"Antarctica should belong to itself" — Cormac Cullinan on Rights of Nature, Climate Justice & Polar Protection

Cormac Cullinan On Wild Law

Cormac Cullinan speaks at the World People's Summit on Climate Change and Rights of Nature, Cochabamba, Bolivia - April 2010

The Green Interview - Cormac Cullinan

Cormac Cullinan speaks to the Green Interview about Wild Law and Earth Jurisprudence

Rights of Nature Movement

Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature and Tribunal Story

International Rights of Nature Tribunal Paris Introduction

Paris Introduction was produced by Clement Guerra.

VIEW ALL RESOURCES

What would a world that applies Earth jurisprudence look like?

FIND OUT MORE

A useful 'starting point' for mapping out what Earth centred governance can look like, is a bioregion.

Thomas Berry

Partners and Allies

HOME
ABOUT
WILD LAW
TEAM
IN PRACTICE
OUR MOVEMENT
EARTH JURISPRUDENCE

Email    contact@wildlaw.net

Copyright all rights reserved.
‍