By 2026, mass environmental destruction will be criminal in the EU. This is a great step, but it applies only to the EU. Importantly for business, it can contribute to challenging business conditions for EU-based operations.
There is a relatively simple way to address this particular threat, and at the same time play a responsible role in mitigating climate change, as well as protecting biodiversity and human rights: to add a crime to an already existing statute.
The EU has 27 member states, all on one continent. The International Criminal Court, the ICC, has 123 member states, on all continents. Adding the crime of ecocide to the governing document of the ICC will make ecocide an international crime with global reach. Business support can speed up the advent of this necessary law.
Christopher Larsson, Senior Manager Sustainability & Assurance Services
In the first part of the programme, KPMG’s Christopher Larsson performed the extraordinary feat of making EU regulation interesting and comprehensible to the uninitiated. His stellar performance was followed by Nina Macpherson and Anna Surtevall from Ecocide Law Alliance who spoke on ecocide law, its reach and its value for nature, as well as for bottom line.
Says Christopher Larsson: ”As we face unprecedented environmental challenges, recognizing ecocide as a crime in the ICC statutes will strengthen the international environmental law and help prevent adverse and irreversible ecosystem changes. It can support the shift towards more sustainable societies globally and ultimately a livable planet for future generations. This is an important topic for businesses to be aware of and understand because the promotion of environmental stability can help the long-term viability of supply chains and resources, while also fostering a level playing field.”
