Governments & Diplomats

INTEGRATION

Pathways to Ecocide Law

States can advance ecocide law through international agreements and domestic legislation.

Amending the Rome Statute

States can advance ecocide law through the International Criminal Court, where an amendment to include ecocide as an independent core crime has already been proposed.

This may involve:

- supporting the proposed amendment to the Rome Statute
- building support among States Parties
- engaging in diplomatic processes and negotiations (like the ICC's Working Group on Amendments)
- aligning with the 2021 Independent Expert Panel definition of ecocide

If adopted, ecocide will sit alongside crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression, and could be prosecuted at the international level.

Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa (2024)

Officially proposed inclusion of a crime of ecocide into the Rome Statute, submitting the Independent Expert Panel definition of ecocide

Democratic Republic of the Congo (2024)

Expressed full support for the ecocide amendment

Regional Legal Frameworks

Regional bodies can promote ecocide law across multiple states. This pathway focuses on developing shared legal frameworks that encourage or require member states to recognise ecocide.

This may involve:

- adopting regional directives, agreements, or model laws
- coordinating legal standards across jurisdictions
- supporting member states in implementing ecocide legislation
- aligning environmental protections across a region

Regional approaches can accelerate adoption by creating consistency and shared momentum.

European Union (2024)

Updated the Environmental Crime Directive to strengthen penalties for serious environmental harm across member states.

African Ministers Conference on the Environment

(ongoing discussions)
Exploring stronger regional approaches to environmental protection and accountability.

Domestic Criminal Legislation

Governments can incorporate ecocide law directly into domestic legal systems.

This may involve:

- introducing new criminal offences addressing severe environmental destruction
- adapting the 2021 Independent Expert Panel definition of ecocide
- strengthening existing environmental laws to include criminal liability
- establishing penalties for individuals and corporate actors

Cases would be investigated and prosecuted within national courts, using domestic legal frameworks.

Mauritius (2026)

Became the first African country to criminalise ecocide as part of its Anti Money Laundering & Terrorism Prevention Act

Belgium (2024)

Became the first EU country to formally criminalise ecocide in its national law.

Action

Take the next step

The next major shift in environmental criminal law is under way. You can be part of it.

If this is relevant to your role, or speaks to you personally, you can take the next step below.

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• Legal analysis and frameworks
• Examples from other jurisdictions
• Key considerations for adoption

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