Stop Ecocide International — Making Ecocide a Crime

Supporters of ecocide law

An idea whose time has come

Ecocide legislation is backed by nation states, faith leaders, global business and more.

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H.E. Nikenike Vurobaravu

President of the Republic of Vanuatu

Vanessa Nakate

Ugandan climate activist, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

H.E. Volker Türk

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Polly Higgins

Pioneering barrister and visionary, co-founder of Stop Ecocide International

What is Ecocide Law

One paragraph to protect every nation

Ecocide law acts as a guardrail, deterring and creating accountability for the most severe environmental damage.

In 2021, a panel of international legal experts convened to produce this definition:

“Ecocide means unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts.”

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WHO BENEFITS

A law for everyone

We all want clean air, fresh water and healthy food. We all want flourishing communities and societies. All of this depends upon a thriving natural world.

Ecocide law protects exactly this.

A healthy world for all our children

A level playing field for business

Personal accountability for reckless harm

Clarity for decision-makers

Why Ecocide law matters ->

global progress

An established direction of travel

Ecocide law is advancing across jurisdictions. States, legal experts and institutions are developing frameworks to recognise severe environmental harm as a serious crime.

Belgium, France, and other nations - including Ukraine, Chile and Mauritius - already have domestic ecocide or ecocide-related legislation.

Vanuatu, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Fiji and Samoa all formally support the inclusion of an international crime of ecocide under the Rome Statute.

The EU has passed an Environmental Crime Directive addressing conduct comparable to ecocide, while African environment ministers have identified ecocide as a continental priority.

Ecocide laws are progressing towards adoption in multiple nations – including Argentina, Brazil, Ghana, Italy, the Netherlands and the Philippines. Meanwhile, ecocide law has had government level endorsement in dozens more.

The International Corporate Governance Network, representing over $100 trillion in assets, has joined banks, pension networks and global businesses in calling on governments to criminalise ecocide.

An Ipsos survey across G20 countries found that 72% of citizens support making severe environmental destruction a crime.

Where it's happening ->

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Our work

Our role in advancing ecocide law

We work in multiple contexts to support recognition of ecocide as a serious crime.

Our approach is collaborative and politically neutral. We focus entirely on this single issue of global legal stewardship.

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Network-building and activation

We connect and convene diplomats, legal experts, academics, businesses and civil society leaders to accelerate legislative progress.

Legal expertise and support

We offer practical support in the development of ecocide laws appropriate to regional and national contexts.

Communications and education

We track and report on global progress while educating leaders on the implications and benefits of ecocide law for their sectors.

OUR PEOPLE

Experienced leadership

Our efforts are led and guided by experienced diplomats, conveners and legal and communications experts.

Governing board

Diplomats and experienced professionals

Advisory council

Top lawyers and industry leaders

Development board

Global influencers and leaders

Leadership team

Diligent doers and bridge builders

Meet our people

How to engage

Take the next step

Select the pathway most relevant to you:

For Governments & Diplomats

Develop and implement ecocide law

Understand legal pathways, policy considerations and how ecocide law is being adopted at national and international levels.

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Business & Finance

Understand implications and benefits

Explore how emerging legal frameworks may affect governance, risk and decision-making, whilst supporting long-term prosperity.

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for Funders

Fund the law, shape the outcome

Learn how funding can directly accelerate the advancement of ecocide law: policymaker engagement through to global capacity building.

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Concerned individual?

Here’s how you can help →

ALLIES

Explore our sector specific networks

Ecocide law is a strategic intervention with positive implications across all sectors. From ocean, forest and youth advocates to leaders in education, arts, business and culture, passionate people are connecting around the world to support the legal evolution.

Explore our networks →