Can we protect the rights of nature in a green economy?

The authors argue that the Green Economy approach, as defined by UNEP, fails to protect biodiversity because it treats nature as 'Natural Capital' and relies on market-based tools like Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES). They propose a shift toward a biocentric perspective that recognizes the intrinsic value and legal rights of nature, independent of human utility. The paper highlights Ecuador as a pioneer in constitutional recognition of nature's rights and suggests practical global targets, including the strict protection of 10% of the world's eco-regions and a transition to 100% organic production.

• The Green Economy approach is criticized for viewing nature through a utilitarian lens, treating ecosystems as 'Natural Capital' and fragmented 'natural resources' or 'goods' or 'services'. This perspective risks confusing economic value with the actual value of nature and suggests that conservation is only ensured if nature is integrated into 'profitable economic processes'.
• Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) is identified as a primary tool of the market-based Green Economy, but the authors claim there is a lack of evidence for its conservation effects beyond local scales. Furthermore, PES contracts are time-limited, which contradicts the long-term requirements of conservation and reduces environmental protection to a 'cost-benefit decision'.
• The authors advocate for a biocentric approach that recognizes the 'intrinsic value' of nature—value that exists independently of human needs or utility. This shift would move nature from being a 'basket of resources' to being viewed as 'Patrimony', granting species the legal right to exist and self-realization.
• Ecuador is cited as the first country to formally recognize the rights of nature within its constitution, blending this biocentric view with traditional human-centered rights for environmental conservation.
• To implement a biocentric perspective, the authors propose three specific practical steps: the strict conservation of at least 10% of global eco-regions, the addition of 25% of natural areas allowing some human intervention, and a total transition to 100% organic modes of production.

APA

Ghione, S., & Gudynas, E. (2012). Can we protect the rights of nature in a green economy? Green Economy Coalition. https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/news-and-resources/can-we-protect-rights-nature-green-economy

Chicago

Ghione, Soledad, and Eduardo Gudynas. Can we protect the rights of nature in a green economy? Green Economy Coalition, 2012. https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/news-and-resources/can-we-protect-rights-nature-green-economy.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ghione |first1=Soledad |last2=Gudynas |first2=Eduardo |title=Can we protect the rights of nature in a green economy? |publisher=Green Economy Coalition |date=5 June 2012 |url=https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/news-and-resources/can-we-protect-rights-nature-green-economy |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ghione2012can, author = {Ghione, Soledad and Gudynas, Eduardo}, title = {{Can we protect the rights of nature in a green economy?}}, institution = {Green Economy Coalition}, year = {2012}, month = jun, url = {https://www.greeneconomycoalition.org/news-and-resources/can-we-protect-rights-nature-green-economy}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }