Constitution of the Earth
Discussion Draft · Version 2.0 (in progress)

Stand: May 2026. First Draft: 5. February 2023.
Initiator: Donald C. Jacob, Arlesheim (CH).
Platform: constitutionofearth.org
Accompanying publications: "A Constitution for the Earth" (oekom Verlag, Munich, 2022); "The Earth as Partner" (BoD, 2026, ISBN 9783695750337).

Hinweis zum Status: This text is a draft for discussion. It does not claim to be a finished or legally enforceable constitution. Some provisions are deliberately formulated in a provocative manner to stimulate debate. Comments from experts, particularly in international, environmental, and constitutional law, are expressly requested and will be incorporated in future versions. Comments can be sent to dojacob@me.com.
 
Preamble
The Earth is the common foundation of all life. Sie ist nicht Eigentum, nicht Ressource, nicht Hintergrund. Sie ist Bedingung.
Democratic constitutions protect the rights of their citizens. Sie schützen nicht das System, das ihre Existenz erst ermöglicht. This gap is not a coincidence, but a historical prerequisite: Constitutions were created in an era of unlimited resources. We live in a different era.
The climate crisis, the extinction of species, and the shift in biogeochemical cycles are not isolated problems. They are symptoms of a constitutional situation in which the biosphere has no voice. Wer keine Stimme hat, wird verbraucht.
This constitution proposes that we think of the Earth as a legally recognized counterpart: not as a subject in the strict legal sense, but as a protected entity that is institutionally represented, with clear procedures, boundaries, and human responsibilities.
It does not propose a world parliament. No eco-dictatorship. No dissolution of national sovereignty. Es ist ein Upgrade der Demokratie für ein endliches System, das von Staaten getragen wird, die es freiwillig in ihre Rechtsordnung integrieren.
 
Part I — Principles
Article 1 — Recognition of the Biosphere as a Protected Asset
(1) The Earth's biosphere — the totality of living systems and their abiotic prerequisites — is recognized as the highest protection good.
(2) This protected area encompasses the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere in their biologically relevant dimensions, as well as all species and ecosystems.
(3) Die Anerkennung als Schutzgut begründet keine Eigentumsfähigkeit der Biosphäre, sondern eine Pflicht aller staatlichen und privaten Akteure, ihre Funktionsfähigkeit nicht zu beeinträchtigen.
Article 2 — Priority over Particular Interests
(1) Where economic, political, or individual interests conflict with the permanent functionality of the biosphere, the protection of the biosphere takes precedence.
(2) This priority does not mean the abolition of other fundamental rights, but rather a weighting scale in decision-making processes.
Article 3 – Generationenpflicht
(1) Die gegenwärtig lebenden Menschen treten als Treuhänder gegenüber zukünftigen Generationen auf.
(2) Decisions that cause irreversible damage to the biosphere are prohibited unless there is an urgent necessity and no reasonable alternative exists.
 
Part II – Obligations
Article 4 – Obligations of States
(1) States that recognize this constitution commit to bringing their legal system into gradual alignment with the principles set forth in Part I.
(2) Sie verpflichten sich insbesondere:
• zur Festlegung verbindlicher Reduktionspfade für klimarelevante Emissionen, Flächenversiegelung und Schadstoffeinträge;
• zur Einrichtung unabhängiger Institutionen, die das Schutzgut Biosphäre vertreten und an Entscheidungsverfahren beteiligt sind;
• zur Berichterstattung über den Zustand und die Entwicklung relevanter ökologischer Indikatoren in regelmäßigen Abständen;
• zur Einbeziehung wissenschaftlicher Beratung mit verbindlichem Charakter in zentrale Entscheidungen.
Article 5 – Obligations of Private Actors
(1) Economic actors are subject to a duty of care regarding the ecological consequences of their activities. This obligation extends to direct and indirect impacts along the entire value chain.
(2) The duty of care is enforceable.
Article 6 – Obligations of Individuals
(1) Each person is responsible for contributing to the preservation of the biosphere through their behavior.
(2) This obligation is primarily an educational and informational matter, not primarily a matter of sanctions.
 
Part III – Institutions
Article 7 – Representation of the Biosphere
(1) Die Vertragsstaaten richten Institutionen ein, die sich ausschließlich dem Schutz und der Vertretung der Biosphäre widmen.
(2) These institutions are designed to work independently of short-term political or economic cycles. Verfassungsgerichte, unabhängige Zentralbanken oder Rechnungshöfe können als Vorbilder dienen.
(3) Die konkrete institutionelle Ausgestaltung — Bezeichnungen, Zusammensetzung und Befugnisse — bleibt der jeweiligen Rechtsordnung überlassen, sofern sie den Zweck nicht unterläuft.
Article 8 – Scientific Foundation
(1) Decisions that significantly affect the biosphere are based on the best available scientific knowledge.
(2) Scientific advisory bodies are to be established so that they can work independently and make their findings publicly accessible.
Article 9 – Publicity and Participation
(1) Procedures affecting the biosphere must be transparent.
(2) Civil society actors have the right to participate in procedures in their own name or in the name of the biosphere and to file appeals.
 
Part IV – Transition and Implementation
Article 10 – Recognition
(1) This constitution takes effect through the voluntary recognition of individual states, subnational units, cities, or organizations.
(2) Recognition may be symbolic, political, or legal. The form and scope is determined by the recognizing actor.
Article 11 – Phased Implementation
(1) Recognizing actors commit to a serious, documented implementation of the principles. This is not an immediate measure, but rather a process.
(2) Die anerkannten Akteure legen die Indikatoren, Etappen und Berichtspflichten fest und kommunizieren sie öffentlich.
Article 12 – Further Development
(1) This constitution is understood as a living document. Future versions will be created based on feedback, professional criticism, and experience in practice.
(2) Versionen werden datiert, mit Änderungsnotizen versehen und öffentlich archiviert.
 
Conclusion
"If we continue as we are, it is not a failure. It is a decision."
This constitution is a proposal. Sie ist keine Gewissheit, kein abgeschlossenes Werk und keine vollständige Antwort. It is an invitation to ask the question precisely: What kind of legal system fits an end system?
Die Antwort wird nicht hier formuliert. Sie wird formuliert in Parlamenten, Gerichten, Wissenschaftsakademien, sozialen Bewegungen, Schulen und privaten Entscheidungen. This text only serves to keep the question open.

— Donald C. Jacob, Arlesheim, May 2026