Abstract This contribution explores ecological literacy as a critical facet of legal inquiry, focusing on expanding knowledge and practices oriented towards nature protection. Evolving to encompass interdisciplinarity and a systems-thinking approach, ecological literacy is crucial for achieving environmental sustainability. The study argues that integrating an approach promoting eco-responsible behaviors is essential for sustainability-centered legal research and education. This necessitates a shift in foundational pillars of legal methodology, moving beyond conventional dogmatic approaches and embracing a participatory and active dimension. The study provides a theoretical foundation for future applications for rethinking legal methodology to implement ecological literacy effectively.