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This episode of the Nature Recovery Podcast discusses legal personhood of nature, also known as rights of nature or more-than-human rights. Hosts Stephen Thomas, Hannah Wilson, and Diana Gusta sit down with lawyer and professor Cesar Rodriguez-Garavito, the founding director of the More-than-Human Life (MOTH) Collective.

The discussion covers the following key points:

• The historical context of the movement: While Western legal frameworks have only recently begun adopting rights for nature, the idea is rooted in the long-standing practices and beliefs of Indigenous cultures globally.
• A groundbreaking legal moment: The 2008 Ecuadorian Constitution is highlighted as a foundational moment for the modern rights of nature movement, being the first to enshrine these rights into law. This was the result of collaboration between Indigenous leaders and a diverse group of scientists, activists, and scholars.
• Ecocentric vs. Anthropocentric views: The hosts and guest explore the difference between framing nature protection as a human right (the right to a healthy environment) versus a right inherent to nature itself (more-than-human rights). Rodriguez-Garavito argues that viewing humans as part of a larger, interconnected web of life is a more durable and effective approach, as the health of human society is directly tied to the health of the biosphere.
• Practical challenges and cultural shifts: The conversation addresses challenges to implementing these laws, such as legal costs and governmental pushback. However, it is argued that these are not new problems for social change movements, as seen in the human rights movement. The discussion concludes by highlighting the importance of cultural change and shifting perceptions, stating that legal action is just one of many tools that can be used to advance this cause.

Links & Resources

• MOTH Life: An interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to the advancement of rights and well-being for humans, nonhumans, and the web of life. For more information, visit their website. https://mothrights.org/about/
• Cesar Rodriguez-Garavito: A lawyer and professor at NYU School of Law. He has written extensively on topics including more-than-human rights and climate change litigation. Profile
• Project CETI: A collaborative project to understand the acoustic communication of sperm whales using AI, mentioned as an example of scientific work that supports a more-than-human perspective. Link

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

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Guests

• Natalie Duffus (DPhil student, Dept. of Biology)
  https://naturerecovery.ox.ac.uk/people/natalie-duffus/
• Matti Troiano (Research Assistant, School of Geography and the Environment)
  https://naturerecovery.ox.ac.uk/people/mattia-troiano/
• Host: Stephen Thomas (Centre Manager, Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery)

In this illuminating episode, we tackle the increasingly tangled web of Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and get an update on what is happening with its current implementation. We also look at the Nature Restoration Fund — two major pieces of England’s ecological compensation puzzle.

Our guests Natalie and Matti break down what these policies are, how they affect developers, landowners, and communities — and why even good intentions may go sawry when market logic meets under-resourced local authorities.

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.

Send us a text

Nature Finance – Opportunities, Challenges, and What Comes Next

In this episode, we delve into the fast-evolving world of nature finance — with a focus on schemes emerging in England, and insights relevant to the global shift toward blended finance for nature recovery. As governments increasingly look to private investment to complement public funding, what’s working, what’s not, and where is this movement headed?

We explore the key challenges facing nature finance today, from market design to policy uncertainty, and discuss promising innovations that could shape the future of investment in biodiversity and ecosystems.

Hosted by: Raphaella Mascia

Guests:

Professor Alexander Teytelboym
Department of Economics, University of Oxford
Alexander Teytelboym is a Professor of Economics whose research focuses on market design—including matching markets, auctions, and network economics. He applies economic theory to pressing policy challenges in areas such as environmental protection, energy systems, and refugee resettlement.

Dr Sophus zu Ermgassen
Department of Biology, University of Oxford
Dr Sophus zu Ermgassen is an ecological economist specialising in biodiversity finance, sustainable infrastructure, and nature-positive policy and investment. His research has been featured in The Guardian, BBC Countryfile, Sky News, The Financial Times, and the ENDS Report. He advises the UK government through roles with Natural England’s Biodiversity Net Gain Monitoring and Evaluation group, the UK Treasury’s Biodiversity Economics working group, and the International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits. He has also contributed to UK Parliamentary reports and briefings on biodiversity and just sustainability transitions.

Alqayam (Al) Meghji
Senior Policy Advisor, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Al Meghji is a Senior Policy Advisor at Defra, bringing together technical engineering expertise and strategic policy insight across water, energy, and land use. His work addresses the intersection of natural resources and climate resilience under demographic and environmental pressures, with a focus on unlocking private investment to complement public funding in nature recovery.

The Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is interested in promoting a wide variety of views and opinions on nature recovery from researchers and practitioners.

The views, opinions and positions expressed within this podcast are those of the speakers alone, they do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery, or its researchers.

The work of the Leverhulme Centre for Nature Recovery is made possible thanks to the support of the Leverhulme Trust.