The Bristol River Avon now has its rights enshrined in a new bioregional charter, publicly signed on World Rivers Day. The Avon bioregional charter of river rights (ABCRR) was developed by the Bristol campaign group Conham Bathing and organised by We Are Avon.
The charter outlines the Avon’s rights to exist, thrive, and evolve naturally, to flow sustainably, to not be polluted, to preserve its biodiversity, and to aim for regeneration and restoration. It also seeks to build cultural and community connection, and to represent and advocate for the rights of the river.
An unprecedented nine councils have endorsed the ABCRR, including Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol City, and North Somerset. This makes it a significant development in the national and international movement to establish legal rights for nature.
While river charters do not replace statutory duties or create legal obligations, proponents suggest they can align governance bodies around clear moral rights and empower grassroots stewardship. B&NES has already appointed a river advocate to represent the Avon, and a councillor stated the charter will allow them to embed these principles into their climate and nature strategy, due in early 2027.
We Are Avon plans to push existing institutions to uphold the charter while also developing alternative approaches, such as growing the movement and empowering local actors. This includes convening farm clusters to share regenerative practices and preparing a campaign for a community-owned hub for regenerative land management.