Constitution of the Ecuador Republic

In September 2008, Ecuador became the first country in the world to incorporate in the Constitution the “rights of nature” and codifying a new legal system for environmental protection. Reflecting beliefs and traditions of the indigenous population of Ecuador, the Constitution declares that “nature or Pacha Mama has a right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles, structure, functions and processes in evolution”. This constitutional right “is independent of the obligation of natural and legal persons or the state to compensate the people who depend on natural systems people”.

The new Constitution redefines people’s relationship with nature claiming that it is not an object for appropriating and exploiting it, but an entity with rights to be treated equally under the law (Title II, Chapter VII, Articles 71 to 74).