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A law that protects life itself

Ecocide - the mass destruction of ecosystems - happens every day. Forests razed, rivers poisoned, oceans depleted. And for most of human history, it's been entirely legal.

Ecocide law recognises the worst environmental harms as crimes at the highest level. It will change the incentive structure for governments, corporations and financial institutions, not just in one country, but everywhere.

Understand the law

the goal is simple

Serious harm should have
serious legal consequences

5th

international crime already proposed at the International Criminal Court for ecocide to sit alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression

72%

of people across G20 countries support making severe environmental destruction a crime (IPSOS)

30+

countries have enacted, proposed or are actively developing ecocide legislation

this is already happening

A truly global movement

From the Pacific Islands to the Amazon to the European Parliament, momentum for
ecocide law is growing across every continent. Here's what's happening.

Africa

The DRC became the first African nation to formally endorse ecocide as an international crime in 2024. In 2025, African ministers agreed to make ecocide a continental priority, with Congo, Burundi and Zimbabwe all taking active steps. Mauritius has already criminalised ecocide domestically.

Latin America

Brazil, Mexico and Peru all have active ecocide bills in progress. Latin America is emerging as a key region with legislators across the continent pushing to enshrine ecocide in national law, and lawyers convening to create model laws suitable for the region.

Pacific & Asia

Vanuatu, Samoa and Fiji formally proposed the Rome Statute amendment at the ICC in September 2024 — placing ecocide on the agenda of international criminal law for the first time. Pacific Island nations, facing existential ecological threats, are leading the global charge.

Europe

Belgium, France and Ukraine have already enacted ecocide in domestic law; the Netherlands and Italy have proposals on the table. The EU's revised Environmental Crime Directive and a new Council of Europe treaty have brought ecocide-level protections to the entire continent for certain categories of crime.

Faith communities

Leaders from Catholic, Islamic, Jewish and Buddhist faith traditions have called for ecocide law as a moral imperative. The late Pope Francis called it 'a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised.'

Indigenous voices

Ecocide law is vocally supported by many indigenous leaders, reflecting its deep alignment with indigenous principles of reciprocity and responsibility.

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