Holistic legal definitions for environmental concerns have proven elusive – but recent developments have pushed forward the acceptance of the Rights of Nature and a shared and accepted definition of Ecocide. These changes are driven by many factors, including an escalation of litigation related to climate change in jurisdictions worldwide and grassroots activist movements. As a result, we are witnessing a growing recognition at the national and international scale. The Right to Healthy Environment has been enshrined in many countries and cited in court filings and rulings. In June 2021, an independent expert panel led to a consensus on a core text of a definition of ecocide as an international crime.

This webinar, organized by the IWRA Water Security Task force, will address the developments and the influences that the Right to a Healthy Environment and the definition of Ecocide have on each other and what it entails for the future. Our panel will consider the drivers for this movement and provide a clearer understanding of what these developments mean for our rivers, mountains, forests and the health of our planet.

Topics

• The Evolution of Environmental Rights
• Reshaping the human relationship with water: what happens when a river becomes a person
• Rights of Rivers and Beyond
• Re-mainstreaming rivers through advocacy (activism, media, and legal fight). Case Study – Turagh river
• Climate Litigation in Brazil: is it enough?