Sue Miller, Head of Global Networks at Stop Ecocide International, explained the definition of the crime proposed by an independent expert panel of international lawyers. The definition is designed to be dropped into the Rome Statute, uses familiar concepts and is legally robust.
‘It throws a big security blanket around the Earth.’
The concept of ecocide law, said Sue, ‘asks a simple but quite powerful question: ”When destruction of the natural world reaches a scale that threatens the foundations of life, shouldn’t it be treated as a serious crime, and not a regulatory issue?”’
There is an accountability gap, she noted, and ecocide law aims to close that gap.
Some benefits of ecocide law:
- Deters reckless decision making
- Encourages more thorough due diligence at senior levels by creating personal criminal liability
- Draws a legal red line around conduct that humanity agrees is unacceptable.
As Sue Miller highlighted, ecocide law is part of a broader shift in legal thinking. Recent advisory opinions from the world’s leading courts have all underlined states’ responsibility in respect of the environment. Rights of Nature frameworks recognise ecosystems as legal subjects with rights to exist and to regenerate, but just granting ecosystems rights doesn’t necessarily stop people harming them: a protection mechanism is needed.
Sue also noted the exponential interest and activities in states around the world for ecocide law.
Nina Macpherson, Chair of Ecocide Law Alliance, discussed the importance of business engaging in the matter and how it can benefit companies that want to contribute to a more sustainable world.
Most, but not all, countries have national legislation that deals with environmental crime, she noted. There are conventions and treaties between states, but they concern responsibilities of states only. An international ecocide law is a missing piece of the legal puzzle. ‘When we talk to people in large companies they often say “Don’t we have a rule like this already? How come? This is obviously a missing part.”’
For responsible companies, ecocide law can be beneficial, underscored Nina. By May 2026, EU countries are required to have implemented the revised EU Environmental Crimes Directive. Other countries introduce national crimes. But in many countries this is still missing. An international ecocide law creates a more level playing field
Nina also quoted Claes Dahlbäck, former chairman of the industrial nexus Investor and board member of investment bank Goldman Sachs: ’Legal clarity will make it easier to operate sustainable and important business. I have always been a believer in clear, long term, responsible rules. I think they are a good thing in this area too.’
Sophie Dembinski, Head of Public Policy at Ecosia, a purpose driven tech company, provided an overview on how the company uses its profits to support reforestation projects around the world. She also explained that Ecosia is a strong supporter and advocate of the ecocide crime being implemented in the Rome Statute.
It was a truly inspiring webinar perfectly organised and moderated by Legal Sustainability’s Amanda Carpenter and Andie Beall.
Please head over here to watch the webinar in full.
