A legal approach that recognizes that natural resources, nature, ecosystems, and species are legal entities in themselves, having rights, powers, duties and liabilities of a legal person, which should be recognized and protected by law. Rights of nature are therefore ecocentric, or nature-centred. Some states give express legal recognition (through the constitution or by statute) to the rights of nature itself. The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) states: ‘Rights of Nature (RoN) is a legal instrument that enables nature, wholly or partly, i.e. ecosystems or species, to have inherent rights and legally should have the same protection as people and corporations; that ecosystems and species have legal rights to exist, thrive and regenerate. It enables the defense of the environment in court – not only for the benefit of people, but for the sake of nature itself.’ (https://www.ipbes.net/policy-support/tools-instruments/rights-nature-ron)