Rights and Nature

EJNI research has identified persistent concerns about the scale and handling of illegal dumping in Northern Ireland and on the island of Ireland. Stakeholders from across a range of backgrounds agree that a public inquiry is the most appropriate mechanism through which to establish the nature and extent of failures within the current system and identify ways of preventing recurrence...

Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in Britain or Ireland, is vital to local communities but faces long-standing management issues. These include environmental damage from unregulated sand extraction, habitat loss, declining fish and bird populations, and serious water pollution. Recent concerns have sparked calls for public ownership. This briefing explains the current ownership situation, why it's problematic, and suggests alternative...

The concept of ecocide is gaining traction globally, with several countries, including Member States of the European Union, adopting or considering legislation. • The EU is moving towards greater environmental corporate responsibility by revising its Environmental Crime Directive (2008/99/EC) directive to include “offences comparable to ecocide”. • Both jurisdictions on the island of Ireland have environmental laws, but neither effectively...

Peaceful protest has been a key tool in many of the most significant social movements for equality and against oppression, and the right to protest is a fundamental part of our democracy. This guide tells you about: Your right to protest under Northern Ireland (NI) law1 ; What you are allowed to do at a protest; and The limitations there...

On 15 January 2025, a public inquiry into the controversial Curraghinalt Gold Mine application in Co. Tyrone was suspended due to the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure's failure to notify the Irish Government and conduct required transboundary consultation. The mine, the largest in the island's history, is located in an environmentally sensitive area, including the River Foyle and River Finn...