Rights of Nature in the Mexico City Constitution

In January 2017, Mexico City became the first major city in the world to enshrine the Rights of Nature in its constitution. Article 13 of the new constitution guarantees the preservation and protection of nature by city authorities, emphasizing citizen participation in environmental matters. This landmark decision was influenced by the 2016 Forum on the Rights of Nature, which brought together over 150 organizations and Indigenous leaders. The constitutional provision recognizes nature as a collective entity with rights, requiring the development of secondary laws to regulate and enforce these rights. This initiative aligns Mexico City with global movements in Ecuador and Bolivia, promoting Earth-centered governance and legal frameworks that honor the intrinsic value of ecosystems and species.