Oder as a legal entity? Signature collection underway to protect the river

Oder as a legal entity – this status may be granted to the river under a citizens’ legislative initiative. On January 31, 2025, the Speaker of the Polish Parliament, Szymon Hołownia, signed a resolution allowing the formal launch of the signature collection process. To bring the project before Parliament, at least 100,000 signatures must be gathered by the end of April 2025.

Clean Oder – why does the river need legal protection?

The Clean Oder Committee has been working for three years to protect the river without institutional funding. Among its past initiatives was the March for Oder, during which the draft bill was first presented.

The idea of granting the river legal personality is inspired by the global Rights of Nature movement, which advocates recognizing natural elements as legal entities. Similar solutions have already been adopted in several countries. In 2017, the Whanganui River in New Zealand was granted legal personhood. Similar regulations exist in Canada, India, Colombia, and Spain.

Ecological disaster on the Oder – a key argument for change

The initiative was inspired by the ecological disaster on the Oder in 2022 when toxic algae blooms caused a massive die-off of aquatic organisms. It is estimated that the fish population in the river decreased by 60%, while mollusks and snails declined by over 80%.

A report by the Supreme Audit Office (NIK) revealed that actions taken after the disaster were insufficient and that water quality monitoring standards had been lowered. The report also highlighted that current regulations do not impose effective restrictions on pollution from industrial wastewater and mine drainage, allowing ongoing contamination of the Oder.

Oder as a legal entity – what does the bill propose?

The Clean Oder Committee argues that granting the river legal personality would enable more effective enforcement of environmental protection laws. This would allow the river to be represented in court and increase accountability for activities leading to the degradation of its ecosystem.

The bill proposes that, if enacted, the Oder would be represented by a 15-member Committee of Representatives consisting of individuals with the highest level of knowledge, qualifications, and experience in river protection.

The initiative’s organizers emphasize that this concept does not mean banning the use of the river but rather ensuring that ecological needs are considered. They cite the example of Spain’s Mar Menor lagoon, which was granted legal personhood following a citizens’ initiative supported by 640,000 people.

Experts on Oder protection

One of the members of the Clean Oder Committee is Dr. Stanisław Kordasiewicz, a legal expert from the University of Warsaw, who points to the global trend of granting legal personality to elements of nature.

“Legal personality is not limited to humans; it is also granted to companies, corporations, and religious institutions. Environmental movements argue that nature, which has no voice and is increasingly destroyed, should also have the right to protection and representation in court. And this is already happening – in various countries, parts of nature are being granted legal personality.”

Robert Rient, the campaign’s initiator, stresses that the bill does not change the principles of using the river but aims to improve its protection.

“Granting the river legal personality will not make it human or grant it human rights. We will still be able to use the river, but with respect for its needs. And if harm is done to the river, it will be possible to take legal action on its behalf. Our goal is clear – we want it to be clean.”

Public support

The initiative has received support from many well-known figures, including Olga Tokarczuk, Maciej Stuhr, Martyna Wojciechowska, and Krzysztof Zalewski. Some artists are donating valuable items for auction to provide financial support for the initiative.

What’s next?

Over the next three months, volunteers will work to collect the required number of signatures. The committee plans to gather signatures at universities, concerts, and through volunteers. Information on how to participate in the initiative is available on the committee’s website.

If successful, the bill will be submitted to Parliament, opening the way for further legislative work on new legal solutions for Oder’s protection.

Source: Based on a press release from the Legislative Initiative Committee Clean Oder.