Developing ecocide law.
High profile endorsements of ecocide law
Ethologist and Founder of Jane Goodall Institute. UN Messenger of Peace
“The concept of Ecocide is long overdue. It could lead to an important change in the way people perceive – and respond to – the current environmental crisis.”
UN Secretary General
“That there are only a handful of States that have criminalized ecocide is a reminder of the need to establish a crime of ecocide at the international level.”
Environmental Activist
On 16th July 2020, Greta Thunberg, Luisa Neubauer, anuna de Wever and Adélaïde Carlier demanded, in an open letter, that all EU leaders and heads of state’ must #FaceTheClimateEmergency’ and “advocate to make ecocide an international crime at the International Criminal Court.”
Journalist, author and activist
"We are in an environmental emergency.”
“It is time to make ecocide a crime against humanity and put the rights of people and Nature first to create a healthy and sustainable planet for all species."
Singer, songwriter, co-founder Meat Free Monday
“Recently heard about this campaign to make #ECOCIDE (serious damage and destruction of nature) a crime at the International Criminal Court. The idea is clearly catching on... and not before time if we are to prevent further devastation of the planet. I've just signed up as an “Earth Protector” to support it.”
Image © Mary McCartney
Speaking at the ICC official side event: 'Ecocide: a fifth crime defined'
'Ecocide would need to be a true ICC crime inline with the Rome Statute and in harnessing the power of international criminal law for the protection of our shared global government.'
Former President of Finland (2000-2012)
"Stopping Ecocide through international criminal law is essential for the survival of our cultures and economies and decisive in order to safeguard global ecosystems with their species variety, as the collective life insurance of humanity."
First Vice President of the European Commission
“Within 2-3 years our citizens will have the same sense of urgency pertaining to the risk of ecocide as they have now with the climate crisis, and its right to have that.”
Environmentalist, model, actress
“Mass damage and destruction of nature is called Ecocide and it should be an international crime, just like genocide. That's why I signed up to the Stop Ecocide campaign, working with lawyers, researchers and diplomats to make Ecocide a crime at the International Criminal Court.”
Former UN Special Rapporteur, Professor Emeritus of International Law, Princeton University
Richard A. Falk drafted an Ecocide Convention in 1973, explicitly recognizing at the outset "that man has consciously and unconsciously inflicted irreparable damage to the environment in times of war and peace.”
Former Commonwealth Secretary General and author of ‘Our Country, the Planet’
“I urge serious global support for the work of the Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide, organised by the Stop Ecocide Foundation. Their ‘Commentary and Core Text’ of a definition of ‘ecocide’ as an international crime deserve humanity’s urgent attention.”
Federal Minister for the Environment
“The inclusion of ecocide as a crime in the Rome Statute would mean that the International Criminal Court would have the power to try these crimes just as it can today condemn a crime of genocide or a crime against humanity.....Agreeing on ecocide as a crime could contribute to a change of mentality and to increased environmental protection."
UCL/Matrix Law. Co-chair, Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide. Speaking at the ICC official side event: 'Ecocide: a fifth crime defined'
'We have a responsibility to the next generation… I’m absolutely convinced that this crime of ecocide will be adopted. The only issue is not whether, but when and in what form.'
Director of the Health of Mother Earth Foundation
“I fully believe in this cause. Making ecocide a recognised law will place a cap on the irresponsible actions of fat cats who hide behind corporate shields to destroy lives and harm the planet.”
Author, spiritual leader, politician, and activist
“Polly Higgins did something extremely important. She changed the way our civilization now looks at the rights of the earth itself. By bringing the notion of ecocide into legal question, she has expanded the way we think of what is happening around us.”
Scholar, Environmental Activist, Food Sovereignty Advocate and Anti-Globalization Author. Founder of Navdanya
“The ideal of limitless growth is leading to limitless violations of the rights of the Earth and of the rights of nature. This is ecocide.”
4th President of the International Criminal Court
"I’m firmly in favour of seeing ecocide made an international crime over which the ICC has jurisdiction."
Member of the European Parliament
"The recognition of ecocides has been discussed since the 1960s and the use in Vietnam of the Agent Orange on ecosystems and the population. More than 50 years later, the gravest environmental crimes remain unpunished, and justice has still to come for the Vietnamese, and all the other victims of ecocides, humans or non-humans. We still have the choice to save our planet, or not. It is time to recognize ecocide."
Former ICC judge. Panelist, Independent Expert Panel for the legal definition of Ecocide Speaking at the ICC official side event: ‘Ecocide: a fifth crime defined.’
‘The scientific evidence and authoritative assessments are overwhelming… For small, vulnerable countries, there is little other option…. it is the rule of law that provides the most effective protection.’
Founder Director and Trustee of Forum for the Future
“The idea of establishing the crime of Ecocide is both timely and compelling... I am now a fully signed-up Earth Protector! I agree with the analysis that ‘only criminal law can stop the harm’, as it’s clear that existing legal sanctions are totally failing to do what we so urgently need them to do.”
Author, speaker, co-founder of Pachamama Alliance
“An international law of ecocide is long overdue and absolutely must happen. It is an essential component of protecting life on Earth. I fully support the Stop Ecocide movement.”
Founder President of the Club of Budapest
“In these days when the human impact on the environment is becoming everyday more evident and proves to be not only damaging to our surroundings but a serious threat to human life and survival, it is imperative that we should declare Ecocide a Crime Against Peace.
Fountain—founder, Delegate of the Mother Earth Delegation of United Original Nations
“We are living in unprecedented times directed by prophecy. The Mother Earth is calling us all into action—to unify and stand up to protect her and all life. The Original Peoples are her voice and live by Nature’s law. Stop Ecocide understands such wisdom. In this action, we are stepping away from those who are destroying Life, and stepping with those that protect the sacredness of Life. Our very survival is at hand. We must be mindful, as we choose our next steps!”
Ambassador of Belgium to The Hague
Diplomatic intervention at the ICC official side event: Ecocide:: 'Ecocide: a fifth crime defined'
'Belgium is continuing internal discussion with a view to a possible criminalisation of the crime of ecocide in its penal code, complemented by efforts at the international level to raise awareness.'
Founder, Synchronicity Earth
"It is high time we rekindle our relationship to the natural world, and embrace our deep connection. This means many things, as well as evolving our thinking about the laws that govern us to include the multitude of species and ecosystems that we share our Mother Earth with."
Award-winning geneticist, broadcaster, world leader in sustainable ecology, and co-founder of the David Suzuki Foundation.
"Ecocide is not only a crime against life, it is suicidal for us because we are the apex predator that is utterly dependent on nature's services."
Founder, Planetari
“Thank you for this vital work. It’s unthinkable that we have no laws to prevent killing the life support system that sustains all life on Earth. Tantamount to facilitating suicide, infanticide, genocide – let's work together to stop ecocide and start looking forward to a brighter future!”
Human rights and environmental activist. Former Executive Director Greenpeace International
“Currently, we allow our political and business leaders to get aware with murder. Now is the time to change that. We need direct liability for those who are destroying our future and this planet. We need fast, profound and systemic change. History only moves forward when courageous people get up and act. That’s why I support this citizen’s initiative to recognise ecocide as the crime it is.”
Co-founder, Gallifrey Foundation
“Today 90% of big fishes are gone, 90% of fish-stocks are overfished; Contrary to popular belief, there aren't plenty of fish in the sea. Stop Ecocide allows us all to speak out to protect the ocean that provides our oxygen, our water and our lifeblood”
Educator, author and Executive Director of the International Charter for Compassion
“As stewards of the Earth, we must bear the burden to protect the planet from ecocide. The proverbial clock is ticking, and it is our responsibility right now, to acknowledge and stop acts of environmental injustice locally as well as globally.
Damage to our ecosystems is a violation that is detrimental to the health and existence of all species. We must work together to NAME these crimes as well as those who perpetrate them.”
Founder of, Sea First Foundation
"We call our planet Earth, but in fact we should call it "Planet Ocean". Over 70% of the surface itself consists of ocean/sea... it is literally vital that we have a healthy ocean... the Sea First Foundation supports this initiative wholeheartedly. Ecocide law will protect the ocean from the damage and destruction caused by humans."
UK MP for Brighton Pavilion. Former Leader of the Green Party of England and Wales
“Establishing the law of Ecocide would signal a major breakthrough in the way we deal with crimes against the natural world. Polly Higgins’ groundbreaking proposal to list Ecocide as the fifth global crime against peace would go a long way towards deterring and holding to account CEOs, companies and nations.”
Chair of Uniting for Peace
“The catastrophic degradation of environment, destruction, damage or loss of ecosystems is happening on a mass scale everyday as more and more carbon emissions are emitted by the ever increasing industrial output in our world. The best way to overcome it is to adopt Polly Higgins proposed Law of Ecocide for the safety of future generations.”
Lawyer and author
”The worldwide destruction of Earth’s climate and biodiversity is proof that our current legal system is failing to protect the natural ecosystems that all life depends on. We need to develop more earth centric laws that acknowledge and protect the innate rights of nature itself, such as a law on ecocide.”
Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association. Panelist, Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide, Speaking at the ICC official side event: 'Ecocide: a fifth crime defined'
'It is my earnest hope that…the ICC is equipped with the tools to end the culture of impunity enjoyed by the environmental offenders and the perpetrators of what we can now define as “Ecocide".'
Human Rights Lawyer
“The problem in the past is that if you hold a company responsible [for environmental destruction], who sits in the dock? Who is responsible? There are real people in the company and the object of the Ecocide act is not just aimed at companies it is aimed at individuals… individual responsibility is the only way there will be any change.”
Author, speaker & ocean rower
“Women have a crucial role to play in protecting our planet and restoring our relationship with the natural world. We’re already seeing women of all ages from teens to eighties stepping up and speaking up on behalf of the Earth, the late, great Polly Higgins among them. It’s wonderful to see Jojo stewarding Polly’s legacy, and taking it to ever greater heights.”
Founder of Liology Institute. Author & Cognitive Historian
"If ecocide were declared a crime by the ICC, this could have a daunting effect on those corporate tyrants who currently know they can get away with devastating the world’s “sacrifice zones” where they are pillaging the earth’s resources for profit."
Member of the Scottish Parliament for Central Scotland
“The climate and ecological crises can be addressed together through an ecocide law.
In the Scottish Parliament I am building support for Scotland to join others in the international community in support of the Stop Ecocide International campaign.
Stopping ecocide is not a choice, it is our duty. All of us can be earth protectors and take bold action to avert climate and ecological catastrophe.”
Human Rights Lawyer
"As a lawyer and father, I plea for laws that effectively protect our planet, our children and our future generations. Recognising the human right to a healthy environment and ecocide law at the global level, will definitely help. We only have one planet and time is running out. Ecocide will mend our criminal law system. Join us, get on board: become an Earth Protector."
Executive Coach, Activist and LinkedIn influencer
"Once we have the International Crime of Ecocide, it will seem the most natural thing in the world, and we will wonder why humanity didn't do it sooner"
Founder of Greenhouse
“Making ecocide an international crime is an essential step towards tackling the global climate crisis. Given the events of the past year, and in the run-up to COP26 and beyond, an ecocide law is the key to holding corporations and governments to account for damaging our planet. The Stop Ecocide campaign plays a crucial role in driving this process forward and it has been inspiring to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate team of women.”
Co-Founder and Director of The Hamilton Group
“I am convinced that making Ecocide a Crime against Peace will make Heads of State and those who run corporations think very carefully about authorising activities which might lead to major environmental damage.”
Climate Justice Campaigner & Creative
“Globally women are on the frontlines of defending the land from exploitation and are leading climate movements to protect biodiversity from the violence of extractivism. To ensure the future of our planet an ecocide law needs to be passed urgently in order to protect the land and the women who defend it.”
Co-Founder of Scientists For Future & Author
"The number of human victims due to environmental destruction and the advancing climate crisis is increasing more and more. That is why it is only logical to hold those responsible for ecocide liable in the same way as for war crimes."
Author & journalist
“I believe [a crime of ecocide] would change everything. It would radically shift the balance of power, forcing anyone contemplating large-scale vandalism to ask themselves: ‘Will I end up in the international criminal court for this?’ It could make the difference between a habitable and an uninhabitable planet.”
Activist, business woman, strategist
“It is clear to me that it is women globally from every culture and every economic background who are holding the love, courage and vision we need to transform our globe into a natural society of equity and harmony.
At the root of this change is Jojo Mehta and of course her collaborator the late Polly Higgins - against all odds they are starting to succeed to get global legal and institutional recognition for acts of ecocide... like my mother they are not phased by the continuous set backs and dismissals... they the warriors of our future - there is hope for us all in their fierce love of life.”
"There is an urgency here and recognition of the crime of ecocide at the international level might just be the tipping point we require to elevate our collective consciousness and action toward a safer planet."
Professor, Queen's University, Gold Medalist at the University of Western Ontario Faculty of Law and Jerome Lipper Award winner.
“Criminal law has often tended to turn a blind eye to “white collar” crime by wealthy elites. A crime of ecocide may help reduce such structural injustices by reframing the most rapacious acts as criminal and not commercial. Even if one believes that there should be a lot less recourse to criminal law, ecocide is among the most serious harms that deserve to be criminalized.”
European Division
“The World Peace Prayer Society welcomes the Law of Ecocide to be recognised as a crime against peace.”
Peace Ambassador, Barrister, Author, Musician
"Personal harmony is the potent droplet with a rippling effect on the ocean of planetary harmony. I believe that an ecocide law will foster harmonious coexistence among humans, animals, plants and the Earth system.”
Concert pianist & mother
“Human beings ... are intrinsically connected to the entire web of a living universe. Nothing expresses this more powerfully than the movement which brings Ecocide alive as an internationally recognised crime.”
Founder & Director, The Sustainable Angle
"The destruction of ecosystems and the environment - ecocide - MUST be enshrined as an international crime! The fact that in the 21st century we still debate whether to protect the environment as an end in itself is simply shameful!"
Author, co-founder of Council of Canadians, Blue Planet Project, and Chair of Board of Food and Water
“Unlimited growth assumes unlimited resources, and this is the genesis of Ecocide. The move to commodify all of nature is the next step in its destruction. The earth is not ours to plunder. Nature has rights as surely as any that exist.”
Spanish politician and biochemist, Director General of UNESCO from 1987 to 1999. Doctor of Pharmacy and current President of the Fundación Cultura de Paz
"Our societies have to be able to comply with intergenerational obligations. Establishing ecocide as an international crime is essential to create the necessary legal framework to protect planetary life and safeguard the future in peace of current and future generations"
Spanish politician and biochemist, Director General of UNESCO from 1987 to 1999. Doctor of Pharmacy and current President of the Fundación Cultura de Paz
"Our societies have to be able to comply with intergenerational obligations. Establishing ecocide as an international crime is essential to create the necessary legal framework to protect planetary life and safeguard the future in peace of current and future generations"
Co-Founder, A Plastic Planet
“For decades we have used Planet Earth as a treasure chest to plunder, destroying habitats, endangering those we share our home with and giving back nothing but pollution. It’s time mankind realised that this selfish, mindless destruction must be prevented by law. It is murder at the grandest scale. We at A Plastic Planet support this call for a new global law to prevent Ecocide. Our children will judge the actions we take today most harshly.”
Former Deputy Prime Minister of Finland and Honorary President of WWF Finland
"I am dismayed by the destruction of nature I see around me and in the media.
We are a huge number of people who want to stop that. Ecocide must be made a crime in international law."
National Focal point, Antigua & Barbuda
“If the ICC recognised an international crime of ecocide then they could investigate the most severe crimes and companies would take it more seriously. All companies are concerned about reputational damage, no company wants to be known as someone who is doing irreparable damage.”
MP of Åland & Member of the Nordic Council
“Treaties without enforcement mechanisms have not proven successful. With an increasing ecological crisis, we must change the global rules. A strong international ecocide legislation has never been more needed.”
Actor, Playwright and Theatre Director
“I believe that ecocide law is very much needed and inevitably on its way. It will be an important step towards a deep connection with Nature. It will provide the moral impetus to change 'business as usual' and lead us towards a true humble love for our home, the Earth.”
Dutch Actress and Singer
“Ecocide is a crime and must be punished as such.
From early childhood, living in Amelisweerd, the Netherlands, I learned that asphalt wins over nature. At the time, our house had to be demolished for highway A27; I remember police units and people in trees. Only recently did I really 'wake up'. Now it is my turn to take action. Mother Earth is furious and I don't blame her. By looking away we pollute our own nest. As Jane Fonda so aptly said; 'Even dogs don't poop in their kennel'. We are intrinsically to the natural world and its magical ecosystems that have provided for us for so long. We must no longer just take. It is time to give back. We owe it to the Earth.”
Image via @valentinavos
Republic of Finland: Minister of the Environment and Climate Change
“The destruction of nature is no longer a local or national problem. Ecosystems do not acknowledge borders, and nature has no nationality. That is why ecocide should be an international crime… Thank you Stop Ecocide International for your important work.”
Marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author, lecturer and co-founder of Mission Blue
"There is a real case to be made for recognising ecocide in the International Criminal Court right along with genocide. Our existence is on the line."
Chief Executive, Royal Scottish geological Society
“We are a part of Nature, not separate from it, and yet we have allowed people to destroy it without consequence – often consciously.
A law of Ecocide is that consequence – until we give our planet more legal protection, we are only going to see continued destruction.”
Prime Minister of Samoa
'We call on all leaders to join us as we explore pathways for addressing ecological destruction and climate breakdown… with the proposal of an amendment to the Rome Statute as a concrete first step.'
Nikenike Vurobaravu
President of Vanuatu
"We call on states to join the group of nations proposing to include the crime of ecocide in the Rome statute. Acting with the knowledge of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment can no longer be tolerated.”
Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church
“By ‘ecocide’ we should understand the loss, damage and destruction of ecosystems of a given territory, so that its enjoyment by the inhabitants has been or may be severely affected. This is a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised as such by the international community.”
Regional Branches
Strategic & event partners
If you would like to explore the possibility of partnering with us, please contact: allies@stopecocide.earth
International associate networks
Climate Counsel together with Stop Ecocide Foundation and the Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA School of Law;
providing technical legal advice on the substantive, procedural and practical aspects of ecocide law.
International parliamentary alliance for the recognition of ecocide.
The global initiative for business leaders wishing to support ecocide law.
International grassroots citizen’s movement calling for the European Parliament to recognise the crime of Ecocide. Contact.
An interreligious coalition for Ecocide as an international crime within the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court.
Join us to help legally safeguard the future
Thank you for your support and interest in Stop Ecocide's mission. We are at a pivotal moment in the global movement toward legally recognizing ecocide as an international crime. This movement represents more than a conversation—it's a transformative shift with the potential to protect the planet for future generations.
We are extremely agile, with an exceptional investment:impact ratio due to our combination of passionate, fearless energy, compelling narrative, organic and highly effective cross-sector collaborations, and impactful high-level diplomatic convening
We are actively seeking to expand our network of visionary aligned funding partners who share our commitment to environmental justice and a safe future for all. We believe that ecocide law is not just necessary but inevitable and represents a crucial, legacy-defining milestone in the fight to safeguard the planet. We invite partners who recognize the profound systemic change that ecocide law can bring to collaborate with us over the long term.
Join us in helping to make history. If you are ready to support this critical initiative and create a lasting and transformative legacy, we invite you to explore funding opportunities by contacting us at fundraising@stopecocide.earth. Together, we can protect the planet for future generations of all species, including our own.
Ecocide Law Funders Collective
You may be interested to join our growing group of longer-term funding partners who:
are serious about catalysing positive systems change
want to see fast progress on a legacy solution to protect life on Earth
are willing to measure success by real-world media, diplomatic and legislative results rather than detailed micro-reporting
want to engage in a bureaucracy-free, active and friendly ongoing relationship with us and other like-minded funders
With grateful thanks to all our funding partners:
Ecocide law: a better way to do business
Would you like to join the growing movement of businesses and financial institutions who recognise that their responsibility extends beyond the bottom line?
Ecocide - mass damage and destruction of ecosystems - is at the root of the combined climate and ecological crisis we face today.
By supporting the recognition of the offence of ecocide in international law, businesses, financial institutions and their employees all around the world can play an active role in protecting people and planet.
You can be part of this positive change.
Join a growing number of businesses and financial institutions calling on governments to join the international conversation and declare support for the adoption of ecocide law at the International Criminal Court (ICC) - to deliver a future and business environment that works in harmony with nature.
Business sector:
A unique opportunity.
By acting together now to hold those responsible for unlawful or wanton destructive practices to account, we can create better and fairer ways of doing business that are firmly supported by international legal frameworks.
Finance sector:
Playing a key role in what and how business is carried out.
Financial institutions have an unparalleled opportunity to help set a course for a future where business is carried out within natural limits, conserving the Earth and its resources for future generations.
Business and Finance open letter:
Play an active role in the protection of people and planet.
Join a growing number of businesses and financial institutions calling on governments to deliver a future and business environment that works in harmony with nature.
Endorsing businesses include:
Read the Global Tipping Points Report
The report is an authoritative assessment of the risks and opportunities of both negative and positive tipping points in the Earth system and society, including ecocide law.
Listen to our podcast episode on business
Can ecocide law support business? Can recognizing ecocide provide a legal safety rail to deter and prevent the worst harms while unlocking innovation?
CONTACT US
Sophie Dembinski
Business Adviser, Stop Ecocide International.
Head of Public Policy and UK Country Manager, Ecosia.
Sector-specific networks in support of ecocide law
A growing number of leading scientists, from a broad range of scientific disciplines all over the world, are calling on governments to make ecocide a crime within the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) - to deliver a future in harmony with nature.
International recognition of ecocide will provide a much-needed framework to protect ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems from the worst harms. It’s time to rebalance our relationship with the ocean.
A global community of individuals, businesses and NGOs engaged in the protection and restoration of our forests calling on governments across the world to support the creation of a new crime of ecocide at the International Criminal Court.
Join people across the world interested in Interested in sustainable / regenerative farming or land management & how ecocide law can support their work and help farming and land management to be part of the solution.
Lawyers, whether practising or academic, add your name here.
Faith for Ecocide Law is an interreligious coalition gathering religious and spiritual leaders and voices to express support for an international crime of Ecocide
A forum of connectivity for artists, creatives and anyone wishing to use their creativity to amplify and support the growing movement to make ecocide an international crime.
Join a growing number of Student Ambassadors internationally to become part of our rapidly growing global movement and help us spread the word.
Youth for Ecocide Law is the youth branch of the international movement to criminalize massive environmental harm. Their ambition is to make the bridge between the youth movement/the civil society and the UN policy processes stronger.
Education can be a powerful tool in raising awareness of the issues concerning the environment, as well as fostering critical thinking, empowering advocacy and promoting the interdisciplinary thinking that will be required.