{"id":9113,"date":"2025-09-24T03:30:30","date_gmt":"2025-09-24T03:30:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/?p=9113"},"modified":"2025-09-24T03:40:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-24T03:40:32","slug":"rights-of-nature-and-climate-responsibility-a-strategic-comparison-between-the-icj-opinion-and-the-inter-american-court-of-human-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/en\/2025\/09\/24\/rights-of-nature-and-climate-responsibility-a-strategic-comparison-between-the-icj-opinion-and-the-inter-american-court-of-human-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Rights of Nature and Climate Responsibility: A Strategic Comparison Between the ICJ Opinion and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"9113\" class=\"elementor elementor-9113\" data-elementor-post-type=\"post\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6549209 elementor-section-content-middle elementor-section-full_width post-cover hero elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6549209\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-adce254\" data-id=\"adce254\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0109099 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-theme-post-title elementor-page-title elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0109099\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;slideInDown&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"theme-post-title.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h1 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Rights of Nature and Climate Responsibility: A Strategic Comparison Between the ICJ Opinion and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c437a23 elementor-section-full_width social-icons-sticky elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c437a23\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;sticky&quot;:&quot;top&quot;,&quot;sticky_on&quot;:[&quot;desktop&quot;,&quot;tablet&quot;],&quot;sticky_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_effects_offset&quot;:0,&quot;sticky_anchor_link_offset&quot;:0}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e47eb24\" data-id=\"e47eb24\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d8cadff elementor-share-buttons--view-icon elementor-share-buttons--skin-flat elementor-share-buttons--shape-circle elementor-grid-0 elementor-share-buttons--color-official elementor-widget elementor-widget-share-buttons\" data-id=\"d8cadff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"share-buttons.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_facebook\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on facebook\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-facebook\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_twitter\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on twitter\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-twitter\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_linkedin\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on linkedin\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-linkedin\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-grid-item\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-share-btn elementor-share-btn_whatsapp\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Share on whatsapp\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-share-btn__icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i class=\"fab fa-whatsapp\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-30b8589 post-breadcrumbs elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"30b8589\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fb5bfcd\" data-id=\"fb5bfcd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5b798b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5b798b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><a style=\"color: #25836a;\" href=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/en\/home\/\">Home<\/a> | <a style=\"color: #25836a;\" href=\"\/observatorio\/blog2\/\">Blog | <\/a><span style=\"color: #3cba39;\">Rights of Nature and Climate Responsibility: A Strategic Comparison Between the ICJ Opinion and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7c6276 section-article-date e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e7c6276\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-31161fb e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"31161fb\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-99b6b69 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"99b6b69\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Published: Sep 24, 2025 | 08:30 am <span id=\"dateDifference\"><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c279fa elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"7c279fa\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<script>\r\n  \/\/ Function to calculate difference in days\r\n  function calculateDaysSinceDate(dateString) {\r\n    const startDate = new Date(dateString);\r\n    const currentDate = new Date();\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Calculate difference in time\r\n    const differenceInTime = currentDate.getTime() - startDate.getTime();\r\n\r\n    \/\/ Calculate difference in days\r\n    const differenceInDays = Math.ceil(differenceInTime \/ (1000 * 3600 * 24));\r\n\r\n    return differenceInDays;\r\n  }\r\n\r\n  \/\/ Target date in \"Month day, year hours:minutes:seconds\" format\r\n  const targetDate = \"September 23, 2025 08:30:00 EST\";\r\n\r\n  \/\/ Convert target date to UTC considering the EST timezone (-5 hours)\r\n  const targetDateUTC = new Date(new Date(targetDate).getTime() - (5*60*60*1000)).toUTCString();\r\n\r\n  \/\/ Calculate days since the date\r\n  const daysSince = calculateDaysSinceDate(targetDateUTC);\r\n\r\n  \/\/ Display the result\r\n  document.getElementById(\"dateDifference\").innerText = `(Hace ${daysSince} d\u00edas)`;\r\n<\/script>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-438cce6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"438cce6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ef2cda order-1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9ef2cda\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb0e2e6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"eb0e2e6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">By: Yenny Vega Cardenas, Ph.D., lawyer and President, International Observatory for the Rights of Nature<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f48b840 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"f48b840\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8907956 order-1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"8907956\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36afb29 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"36afb29\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The climate crisis, now considered a global emergency, has prompted a major shift in international law, both globally and in the Americas. Two recent decisions illustrate this transformation: the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), issued at the request of the Republic of Vanuatu and other UN member states on July 23, 2025, and Advisory Opinion OC-32\/25 of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR), requested by Chile and Colombia. Both opinions converge on the crucial importance of protecting the climate system and its components, but each introduces distinct nuances and normative tools, particularly with regard to the rights of Nature and the responsibility of States.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-922bc22 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"922bc22\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ba52653 order-1 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"ba52653\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fda78a elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fda78a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">1. Subject matter and scope <span style=\"color:#3CBA39\"> of the advisory opinions<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ab66acd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ab66acd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The ICJ&#8217;s opinion focuses on the obligations of States to protect the climate and the planet under conventional and customary international law. The Court emphasizes that these obligations are peremptory and engage the international responsibility of the State in the event of a breach, with remedial measures including cessation, non-repetition, and reparation for damage. Emphasis is placed on the need for collective action, international cooperation, and the integration of the best available scientific knowledge (ICJ, 23-07\/25).<\/p><p>The Inter-American Court of Human Rights, for its part, places the climate issue in a broader humanistic and ecocentric perspective, explicitly recognizing Nature as a subject of rights. Inter-American Opinion OC-32\/25 identifies the right to a healthy environment and the right to a healthy climate as autonomous rights, protecting both human beings and the components of ecosystems. This recognition constitutes a paradigm shift in the Americas, moving beyond the traditional anthropocentric view and establishing that climate protection cannot be separated from the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity.<\/p><p>Thus, while the ICJ provides a strict and binding legal framework, the Inter-American opinion introduces an ethical, preventive, and integrative dimension, linking human rights, the rights of Nature, and sustainable development.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c6f6322 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c6f6322\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-879931d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"879931d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"980\" height=\"631\" src=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ICJ.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9103\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ICJ.jpg 980w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ICJ-300x193.jpg 300w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/ICJ-768x494.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 980px) 100vw, 980px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca71891 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ca71891\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a class=\"navbar-brand border-start border-white\" href=\"https:\/\/media.un.org\/photo\/en\">UN Photo<\/a><\/p><div id=\"gtx-trans\" style=\"position: absolute; left: 7px; top: 45px;\"><div class=\"gtx-trans-icon\">\u00a0<\/div><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24961af e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"24961af\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c747444 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c747444\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0560c00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0560c00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2. Rights of Nature<span style=\"color:#3CBA39\">  and normative innovations<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf2a021 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf2a021\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>While recognizing the importance of ecosystem protection for human health and planetary sustainability, the ICJ does not formally enshrine Nature as a subject of rights. The responsibility of States is based on compliance with their duty of care, the prevention of significant harm, and international cooperation. The decision nevertheless provides specific tools for assessing State responsibility and promoting the protection of carbon sinks, which facilitates the implementation of coherent climate policies at the global level.<\/p><p>Conversely, the IACHR goes further by affirming that ecosystems and their components can enjoy autonomous rights. This decision constitutes a major legal turning point: it legitimizes the legal personality of Nature and allows States to be held directly responsible for the degradation of ecosystems. It is part of an international trend that includes concrete examples in Latin America (Ecuador, Bolivia, Panama, Colombia) and North America, such as the recognition of the rights of the Magpie River (Mutehekau-shipu) in Quebec, validated by the Regional County Municipality of Minganie and the Innu community of Ekuanitshit in 2021.<\/p><p>This legal recognition is strategic for Canada, where local initiatives in favor of ecosystem rights can now draw on international legitimacy, strengthening the advocacy of Indigenous communities and municipal governments for the protection of rivers, forests, and ancestral lands.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b58701 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8b58701\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fb86fb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1fb86fb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">3. State responsibility: <span style=\"color:#3CBA39\">a crossroads between human rights and Nature<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9508940 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"9508940\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-daf1df8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"daf1df8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a6e69a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3a6e69a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Both opinions agree on the principle that states have a continuing and international responsibility in the event of non-compliance with their climate obligations. The ICJ details this responsibility in terms of traditional international law: cessation, non-repetition, and reparation, including restitution and compensation. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights complements this approach by explicitly linking state responsibility to the protection of the rights of Nature and the prevention of irreversible climate damage, now recognized as jus cogens.<\/p><p>For Canada and the United States, these two opinions create a double imperative:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0029281 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0029281\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ol><li>Adopt robust climate policies in line with international standards, including GHG reduction, ecosystem protection, and energy transition, in order to avoid international liability for climate damage.<\/li><li>Recognize, or even legitimize locally, the legal protection of natural entities (rivers, forests, wetlands), thereby strengthening consistency with inter-American jurisprudence.<\/li><li>\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3be669d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3be669d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In other countries in the Americas, notably Chile, Colombia, and OAS member states, the IDH opinion provides a more robust normative framework for integrating the rights of Nature into national law through conventionality review.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58279aa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"58279aa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c7e09d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8c7e09d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-4-1024x682.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9094\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-4-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-4-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-4-768x511.webp 768w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-4.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1863182 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1863182\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ab466c6\" data-id=\"ab466c6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8461f26 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8461f26\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-2-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9092\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-2-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-2-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-2-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-2-1024x1536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-2.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-33ca143 order-1\" data-id=\"33ca143\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4f89e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f4f89e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">4. Environmental democracy<span style=\"color:#3CBA39\"> and indigenous knowledge<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8423828 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8423828\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Inter-American opinion emphasizes environmental democracy, access to information, and public participation, stressing that climate decisions must be inclusive and based on the best available science. It also recognizes the value of indigenous and ancestral knowledge, which is essential for conservation and adaptation. For Canada, this legitimizes First Nations and Inuit initiatives to protect territories and waterways, aligning local practices with the global movement for the rights of Nature.<\/p><p>The United States, despite its legal tradition less favorable to the recognition of the rights of Nature, can draw inspiration from these decisions to develop integrated environmental policies, particularly in states or municipalities that have already adopted regulations favorable to the rights of Nature, which have been cited by the IACHR. Of course, any other way of protecting Nature is valid as part of a climate policy, such as protecting ecosystems through national parks and protected areas.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a9dceb3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a9dceb3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1a0b4e0 order-1\" data-id=\"1a0b4e0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2522fb2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2522fb2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">5. The Amazon <span style=\"color:#3CBA39\">at the heart of COP30<\/span>\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ef9eb9a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ef9eb9a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The recognition of the rights of Nature takes on a particular dimension in the Amazon, a region that is crucial for global climate regulation. In preparation for COP30, scheduled to take place in Bel\u00e9m, Brazil, Amazonian nations, including Colombia, have strengthened their cooperation to protect the rainforest. At the presidential summit of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) in Bogot\u00e1 on August 22, 2025, leaders adopted the \u201cBogot\u00e1 Declaration,\u201d emphasizing the importance of recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples and preserving forest ecosystems.<\/p><p>This declaration is directly in line with the international dialogue on Article 6.8 of the Paris Agreement, which is dedicated to non-market-based approaches, highlighting actions centered on Mother Earth and eco-centric perspectives, of which the rights of Nature are a pillar. Colombia, in particular, was a pioneer in recognizing the Amazon as a subject of rights in 2018, thanks to a historic decision by the Colombian Supreme Court.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f8be5e6\" data-id=\"f8be5e6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e8ecd7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e8ecd7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-3-683x1024.webp\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-9093\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-3-683x1024.webp 683w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-3-200x300.webp 200w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-3-768x1152.webp 768w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-3-1024x1536.webp 1024w, https:\/\/observatoirenature.org\/observatorio\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Rights-of-Nature-and-Climate-Responsibility-3.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52da7c0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"52da7c0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19780fe elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"19780fe\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">6. Strategic implications <span style=\"color:#3CBA39\">and opportunities<\/span>\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0fd5ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f0fd5ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Taken together, these two opinions represent a normative and strategic revolution for the entire Americas:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f728ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f728ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>They reaffirm the obligation to protect the climate and the environment as an essential condition for the enjoyment of human rights.<\/li><li>They introduce the concept of Nature as a subject of rights, providing legal tools to prevent the destruction of ecosystems.<\/li><li>They establish a coherent regional and international framework, strengthening cooperation, state accountability, and citizen participation.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-af44b31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"af44b31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>For Canada and the United States, these decisions provide an opportunity to align national, state\/provincial, municipal, and Indigenous climate policies with international standards, while strengthening the recognition of ecosystem rights at the local level. For other countries in the Americas, they provide a solid normative reference for the development of integrated climate and environmental legislation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf1afde elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"bf1afde\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><span style=\"color:#3CBA39\">7. Conclusion<\/span><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ada539c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ada539c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The ICJ opinion (07-23\/25) and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights opinion OC-32\/25 converge on the need for urgent and coordinated action in the face of the climate crisis. The ICJ provides a binding and detailed legal framework on State responsibility, while the Inter-American Court broadens the perspective by recognizing the rights of Nature and consolidating the right to a healthy climate as a fundamental right.<\/p><p>For Canada, the United States, and the countries of the Americas, these two decisions represent a strategic opportunity to rethink climate responsibility, strengthen the legal protection of ecosystems, and promote an integrated approach to human rights and the rights of Nature. They usher in a new era in which safeguarding future generations requires the legal and effective recognition of the rights of Nature, while mobilizing traditional knowledge and citizen participation as essential levers for transformation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Home | Blog | Rights of Nature and Climate Responsibility: A Strategic Comparison Between the ICJ Opinion and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Published: Sep 24, 2025 | 08:30 am By: Yenny Vega Cardenas, Ph.D., lawyer and President, International Observatory for the Rights of Nature The climate crisis, now considered a global emergency, has [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":9108,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"elementor_header_footer","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"full-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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