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Legally protecting nature in times of peace and conflict: the power of recognising “ecocide”

Monday, May 15, 2023
5:00 PM 7:00 PM

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An IN-PERSON panel event & pre-dinner drinks
alongside the Council of Europe Reykjavík Summit

Nordic House, 11 Sæmundargata 101, Reykjavík, Iceland

Monday 15th May, 17:00 Reykjavik, 18:00 London, 19:00 Amsterdam

The event will be also be live-streamed via
the Stop Ecocide International Facebook page

Co-hosted by:

In association with partners:

Royal Scottish Geographical Society / Youth For Ecocide Law / Wellbeing Economy Alliance / Landvernd (Icelandic Environmental Association) / Sustainability Institute of the University of Iceland / Schumacher Institute / Biodice / Cradlenet / Club of Rome / Nordic Youth Biodiversity Network / Young Environmentalists of Iceland / Náttúruverndarsamband Íslands (Iceland Nature Conservation Association) / Global Choices / Arctic Angels

Healthy ecosystems and flourishing biodiversity are fundamental to the harmonious balance of life on Earth, as well as to sustainable human civilisation. They are also fundamental to regulating climate.

Existing environmental protections are often not adhered to or are poorly monitored and enforced in peacetime, while conflict situations lead to some of the worst environmental harms which are often neglected in the face of other wartime atrocities.

Many states, as well as NGOs, lawyers, academics, scientists, grassroots movements and a growing number of networks within the corporate and finance sectors are speaking out in support of stronger legal frameworks and accountability.

In particular, the legal recognition of “ecocide” (severe and either widespread or long-term harm to ecosystems) as a crime at the international level could go a long way to shifting attitudes and guiding behaviour with regard to threats of severe pollution to the Earth’s most vital ecosystems and endangered/keystone species.

This event will explore recent rapid developments in the progress toward ecocide legislation at national, regional and international levels and the benefits for a just and resilient transition to a sustainable future for all.