UK campaigners launch bill to give nature legal rights

Private member's bill backed by Chris Packham and Natalie Bennett would impose a duty of care on government and business

A radical proposal to change the legal status of nature will be launched today in the House of Lords, with the unveiling of the UK nature's rights bill initiative.

The private member's bill aims to legally enshrine the idea that there can be no lasting economic progress or social justice without respect for the natural world, and to change the legal status of nature from objects, property and resources to a legal subject with inherent rights.