Granting Rights to Nature : A Solution for Climate Action

Through a Canadian and international perspective, this panel will present the advantages and challenges of recognizing the legal personhood of natural entities contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation. It will highlight initiatives involving Indigenous peoples and local communities around waterways, who bear 80% of the effects of climate change (flooding, drought, ice melt). Canadian initiatives are pioneers in this field: the recognition of the Magpie/Mutehekau Shipu River by the Innu community, the process of recognizing the legal personality of Rice Lake by the Anishinaabeg Alderville First Nation, and the ongoing initiative of the St. Lawrence River demonstrate that this paradigm is not only relevant but also exportable to other contexts, including Lake Tota in Colombia and the Menor Lagoon in Spain.

Panelist

Yenny Vega Cardenas President and Attorney at Law International Observatory for the Rights of Nature (IORN)

Moderator

Inès Benadda Vice President and Attorney at Law International Observatory for the Rights of Nature (IORN)

Panelist

Taynar Simpson Chief of Alderville First Nation Alderville First Nation Première Nation d'Alderville

Panelist

Rosa Galvez Senator Senate of Canada

Panelist

Elisa Mairet Head of Communications International Observatory for Nature's Rights (IORN)

Panelist

Astrid ForeroLawyer College of environmental lawyers of Boyacá

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