Justice, Rights and Nature

‘Rights of nature’ (RoN) is an emerging and evolving paradigm that recognises the intrinsic rights of ecosystems and species to evolve, flourish, and regenerate. The possibility of adopting a rights of nature approach on the island of Ireland has been the subject of increasing attention, with academics, NGOs and grassroots communities exploring how a concept that has been adopted in...

This independent research report titled ‘The Environment, Human Rights and the Windsor Framework’ was commissioned by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and authored by Dr Ciara Brennan, Dr Mary Dobbs, Dr Orla Kelleher, Ms Alison Hough BL and Dr Lisa Claire Whitten. The report examines the relationship between Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, which deals with the rights...

Tackling the ecological crisis at Lough Neagh requires urgent interventions viewed through an environmental justice lens. This approach highlights three key areas: Distributive justice: Issues around ownership and environmental governance. Procedural justice: Gaps in accountability, conflicts of interest, lack of cross-border cooperation, and insufficient public participation in decision-making. Recognition: Addressing the legacy of colonial dispossession. To create a just and...