Protecting humans through ecocide law – New report

Protection of humans and protection of environment are interrelated. The destruction of the environment is a major threat to humans, and current law to protect humans is inadequate, says a new report from The Asser Institute. Criminalizing ecocide will help protect humans.
  • An international crime of ecocide sends a message that massive unsustainable harm to the environment is one of the greatest global challenges to the survival and well-being of present and future generations.
  • An international crime of ecocide protects people and planet in ways that current international law does not:
    • International human rights law is binding only on states.
    • With ecocide as a crime, top decision-makers could be held personally accountable.

Ecocide law should be seen as a tool to protect humans.

  • Approaching the crime of ecocide through a human rights lens reveals the human stories of the impacts of climate change and environmental destruction, and has the best chance of generating awareness, accountability, and protection for all.
  • Human rights due diligence standards can help businesses understand how to avoid ecocide charges, and make the crime an effective and enforceable deterrent. 

Background/overview
The proposed new international crime of ecocide describes the most serious acts of environmental destruction. An independent panel of experts in international law has produced a definition of ecocide for inclusion in the Statute of the International Criminal Court, alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. As an international crime, ecocide could be prosecuted anywhere, and would not be dependent on national law or domestic political will. In addition, as environmental damage can have cross-border and even global impacts, it makes sense to address it on the international level.

Based on a report by Kate Mackintosh and Lisa Oldring, published by The Asser Institute, Centre for International & European law, Centre for International & European law.

This is the first in a series of Asser Institute reports on the crime of ecocide.

 

Share this post

Other articles

EU agrees to sanction severe environmental harms “comparable to ecocide”

The EU has agreed to enshrine in law a new offence that aims to punish the most serious crimes against the environment. 

Ecogain webinar

On November 10th Ecogain is hosting a webinar on ecocide and its impact on the environment and ecosystems, featuring Nina MacPherson as a guest.

Nordic Council urges governments to join ecocide law discussion

The Nordic Council recommends Nordic governments “to participate in relevant international discussions to criminalise serious crimes against the natural environment during both wartime and peacetime.” …

Swedish Prime Minister support

On October 25th, Rebecka le Moine (MP, Swedish Green Party) asked Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson a question regarding accountability for the huge environmental destruction in Ukraine. Prime Minister Kristersson expressed his support for Ukraine’s demand for accountability for environmental crimes.

How can Ecocide Law help direct our techno-economic power?

Technology increases the speed and power of human activity, but does not make informed choices about the direction of those activities. How can making mass destruction of nature a crime before the International Criminal Court in the Hague – Ecocide Law – help direct our techno-economic power?

Exponential Roadmap Initiative recommends ecocide law

The Exponential Roadmap playbook is supported and used by some of the world’s major and innovative companies. Taken together, their annual revenue is more than one trillion dollars.