Exploring the Rights of Nature for Antarctica – Unite for Nature at CBD COP16

This panel discussion centers on reimagining how Antarctica is represented and protected in international environmental law by applying the “Rights of Nature” framework. The panelists, comprising environmental activists, scientists, policymakers, and legal experts, introduced the emerging movement advocating for recognizing Antarctica as a living entity with inherent rights under international law. Since Antarctica has no Indigenous human population or traditional political voice, panelists emphasize the need to create a new mode of representation that enables the continent and its ecosystems to “speak” for themselves.