What is a Green Amendment?
Green Amendments are self executing provisions added to the bill of rights section of a constitution that recognize and protect the rights of all people, including future generations, to pure water, clean air, a stable climate, and healthy environments. The Connecticut Environmental Rights Amendment is Connecticut’s version of a Green Amendment.
Overview of the CT Green Amendment
Working together as the Connecticut Environmental Rights Amendment Alliance (CTERA Alliance), a collaboration of supporting advocates, caring community members and organizations, led by CT NOFA, are working together to secure constitutional protection for their environmental rights.
Named the Connecticut Environmental Rights Amendment (CTERA), the language currently proposed reads:
Article first of the Connecticut State Constitution is amended by adding the following section:
Each person shall have an individual right to clean and healthy air, water, soil and ecosystems, a clean and healthy environment and a safe and stable climate for the benefit of public health, safety and the general welfare. The state shall protect these rights equitably for all people regardless of race, ethnicity, tribal affiliation, gender, socioeconomic status or geography. Recognizing all of the residents of the state, including present and future generations, as the beneficiaries of a healthy environment, the state shall conserve, manage, protect and maintain, for these beneficiaries, all of the natural resources of Connecticut, including its waters, air, flora, fauna, soils and climate. The state shall not allow, through government action or inaction, any degradation, diminution or depletion of the natural environment that is avoidable, contributes to significant or widespread environmental harm or results in an unhealthy or unsustainable environment. Any funds supporting protection of the state’s natural resources shall not be diverted. The rights stated in this section are equivalent to all other inalienable rights, may not be infringed and may be directly invoked and enforced by the residents of this state.
You can see the link to Bill Language HERE
Status:
2026 Progress: There was a strong showing of support for the proposed CT Environmental Rights Amendment at the public hearing held on March 4, 2026 before the Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE) at the Capitol, including from Maya van Rossum, the national leader of the movement Green Amendments for the Generations, traveling from Pennsylvania, and representatives from the Sierra Club CT, CT League of Conservation Voters, Sunrise New Haven, Third Act CT, CT Citizens Action Group, and CT NOFA, as well as several individuals. Also, over 175 people and organizations have submitted written testimony in support. Go to the Act Now Page to learn how you can engage.
In 2025 the CTERA was proposed and advanced with bi-partisan support. After a strong hearing before the Government Elections and Administration Committee the amendment was voted out of committee. Unfortunately, at the 11th hour, largely because of behind the scenes advocacy by the CT Attorney General’s office, the language was modified in such a way that it undermined the strength of the amendment and it no longer met the critical criteria defining a Green Amendment. Advocates were forced to withdraw their support.
Meaningful CTERA language is supported by a growing coalition of organizations and a strong partnership between CT NOFA, Green Amendments For The Generations, and community activists.
Outreach, education and organizing continue. There is still lots of opportunity to be active in this history-making effort:
- If you represent an organization and would like to sign on in support of constitutional protection for environmental rights, you can do so here.
- As an individual you can join the movement by signing in support here.
