Nature as a direct recipient of legal protection in Costa Rican jurisprudence: an analysis in light of Advisory Opinion 32/25 of the Inter‑American Court of Human Rights

Authors

  • Mario Peña Chacón Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15517/jthbg248

Keywords:

Nature; healthy environment; ecocentrism; Costa Rican jurisprudence; Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Abstract

This article examines the evolution of Costa Rican jurisprudence that treats Nature as a direct recipient of legal protection. It shows autonomous protection grounded in intrinsic value and in the principles of prevention, precaution, and non-regression. The analysis is framed by Advisory Opinion AO-32/25, which reaffirms the autonomous right to a healthy environment and the collective public-interest status of Nature. The article argues that Costa Rica is consolidating ecological constitutionalism aimed at effective biodiversity protection.

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Author Biography

  • Mario Peña Chacón

    Consultor, investigador, abogado litigante y profesor de derecho del Sistema de Estudios de Posgrado de la Universidad de Costa Rica y sus Maestrías en Derecho Ambiental y Derecho Público. Miembro de la Comisión de Derecho Ambiental de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN) y corresponsal nacional del Centré International de Droit Comparé de l´Environnement (CIDCE). Correo : mariopenachacon@gmail.com.   ORCID : 0009-0003-3976-688X.

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Published

2026-05-31

Issue

Vol. 170 No. 170 (2026): Volumen 170-RCJ-2026

Section

Artículos

License

Creative Commons License

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How to Cite

Nature as a direct recipient of legal protection in Costa Rican jurisprudence: an analysis in light of Advisory Opinion 32/25 of the Inter‑American Court of Human Rights. (2026). Revista De Ciencias Jurídicas, 170(170), 221-246. https://doi.org/10.15517/jthbg248