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Ireland could become the first country in the EU to enshrine the rights of nature into its national constitution.

The Joint Committee on Environment and Climate Action has recommended the government advance a referendum on protecting biodiversity.

The move would see nature bestowed with rights comparable to those of people.

It came in response to

The Rights of Nature movement has grown in recent years.

It seeks to have elements of nature, such as trees, mountains and rivers, recognised as entities with rights to exist and flourish, to be restored, regenerated and respected.

And it also recognises the right of any person or organisation to defend, protect and enforce those rights on behalf of nature.

For example, New Zealand has granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River.

Countries in South America have made similar declarations.

The appeared before the Joint Committee in October to testify about why the rights of nature needed to be recognised.

The team was supported by Dr Peter Doran of the Queen's University Belfast School of Law.

Executive director Mari Margil welcomed the committee's recommendation.

"We congratulate chairperson Brian Leddin and the Joint Committee for its work and taking this important step forward toward enshrining the rights of nature within Ireland's constitution," she said.

"Further, we look forward to the government and parliament's next steps to protect the rights of nature, and offer whatever assistance we can in this process."

Senior Counsel Thomas Linzey added that direct citizen involvement was "essential" to protect the natural environment and the rights of nature.

If the Irish parliament does put forward a national referendum on the rights of nature and it is approved by the people, Ireland would be the first country within the European Union to enshrine such a right within a national constitution.

Other countries have enacted similar laws and amendments.