Why Ecocide Law Matters

The Challenge

How current
frameworks fall short

Fines treated as a cost of doing business

Penalties for regulatory breaches are often treated as operational costs, with limited accountability for real-world serious harm.

Inconsistent regulatory enforcement

Application and oversight vary significantly across jurisdictions.

Reactive rather than
preventive

Mechanisms focus on responding to harm, rather than deterring it.

No framework for individual accountability

Decision-makers have little incentive to take disaster prevention seriously.

THE IMPACT

What changes with ecocide law

It introduces a criminal law threshold for severe environmental harm – one that reshapes responsibility, decision-making and enforcement.

Responsibility shifts to individuals

Senior decision-makers can be held personally accountable for severe environmental damage.

Prevention becomes a legal priority

The focus moves upstream, influencing decisions before harm occurs, not just responding after.

Legal thresholds become clearer at scale

Severe, widespread or long-term damage is defined and treated consistently.

National and international systems begin to align

Legal approaches converge, enabling coordination across jurisdictions.

the VALUE

Everybody benefits

Ecocide law has positive implications for government, business and across civil society.

Built to work with existing governance frameworks

Understand legal pathways and how ecocide law can be developed within your jurisdiction.

Explore for governments →

Strengthens current frameworks

Supports existing regulation, multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), human rights obligations, health and safety frameworks, climate policies

Prevention and deterrence built in

Reduces risk of ecosystem collapse, pollution disasters, food insecurity, resource-related conflict and displacement

Protection for people and ecosystems

Safeguards communities, livelihoods and biodiversity

Enforceable responsibility

Provides recourse and accountability for high-risk projects in public and private sectors

Reducing risk, rewarding responsible business

Understand benefits and implications for risk, governance and long-term planning.

Explore for business →

Stability for what matters most

Protects resources, assets and workforces

Emphasis on real-world consequences

Strategic planning to avoid harm reduces operational, reputational and investment risk

Where the smart money moves next

Re-channels investment to safer projects with longer term returns

The rules change for everyone

Levels the playing field for sustainable and regenerative enterprise

Protecting what matters most to you

Get involved and stay connected to progress.

Explore for governments →

Legal protection for the natural world

Safeguards biodiversity and climate-regulating ecosystems into the future

Preventive and deterrent

Deters, prevents and creates accountability for the severest harms

Legal tool for communities

Provides a guardrail against severe environmental harms, and a pathway to justice where they occur.

Recognition of ecological interdependence

Shifts understanding of our place and responsibility in the web of life

looking ahead

Legal and moral evolution

Legal systems have historically evolved along with societal values, expanding protections as new kinds of harm are recognised.   

We understand the abolition of slavery, expansion of the vote, and civil rights movements as key shifts in moral consciousness that have become established in law.

Ecocide law is the next step in this evolution - introducing accountability for severe harm to nature, to reflect the growing understanding that we are profoundly responsible for the health of the living world on which all lives and livelihoods depend.

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.

Request a briefing pack

Access materials tailored to your sector and needs.

Request a briefing pack

Speak to our team

Engage directly with legal and policy specialists supporting the development of ecocide law.

Get in touch

Stay informed

Receive updates on ecocide law, including breaking news, legislative developments, latest research and civil society initiatives.