Nature rights

Early day motion 562, tabled 9 July 2026 by Adrian Ramsay (Green). Signed by 36 members.

That this House recognises that healthy, resilient and thriving natural systems are fundamental to food security, public health, economic prosperity, climate resilience and national security; notes with deep concern the Government’s report entitled Global biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and national security: A National Security Assessment, which identifies biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse as imminent systemic risks to national security, resilience and prosperity; further recognises that the long-term wellbeing, security and economic stability of the UK depends upon the health and integrity of the natural world; believes that law and governance should better reflect society’s dependence on Nature and the living systems that sustain human life and economic activity; welcomes the introduction of the Nature’s Rights Bill [HL] as an important contribution to parliamentary debate on how legal duties, governance and decision-making can better protect and restore the natural world; remains concerned that, despite existing environmental protections, current governance frameworks do not adequately address the rapid pace of ecological decline or the critical risks arising from nature loss; and calls on the Government to give serious consideration to the legal and governance approaches that recognise Nature as a legal subject and rights-bearing entity, establish a duty of care towards Nature, and align public decision-making, policy development, economic planning and national resilience strategy with the protection, restoration and regeneration of the living systems on which human wellbeing, national security and economic activity depend.

Signatures by party: Labour 17, Liberal Democrat 7, Green 5, Independent 3, Scottish National Party 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.