Developing ecocide law.
Imagine a world where our Earth's vital ecosystems are legally protected from the severest harms.
This is the vision behind ecocide law: providing an enforceable framework to deter destructive practices, safeguarding the natural world and all our futures.
We develop recognition of ecocide as a serious crime, working at diplomatic level and across all sectors of civil society to share knowledge and inspire positive legislative change.
15th May 2025
‘Tantamount to Ecocide’: Council of Europe Criminalises Severe Environmental Harm
The Council of Europe has adopted a landmark treaty - the Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law - which defines and criminalises a wide range of environmental offences and establishes a legal framework for states to prosecute intentional conduct resulting in environmental disasters 'tantamount to ecocide’.
The treaty, adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 14 May 2025, is now open for signature and will enter into force once ratified by at least 10 states (including 8 Council of Europe members [as required by Article 53(3)]), with both signature and ratification remaining voluntary for states.
Read about other recent developments:
Pope Francis - "This is a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised."
Princess Esmeralda of Belgium - “It is time to make ecocide a crime against humanity."
Antonio Guterres - It is "highly desirable" to include ecocide as a crime at the International Criminal Court.
Paul McCartney - "The idea is clearly catching on... and not before time if we are to prevent further devastation of the planet."
Tarja Halonen - "Stopping Ecocide through international criminal law is essential".
Cara Delevingne - "Mass damage and destruction of nature is called Ecocide and it should be an international crime, just like genocide."
Professor Philippe Sands KC - "I’m absolutely convinced that this crime of ecocide will be adopted. The only issue is not whether, but when and in what form.”
Dr Jane Goodall - “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.”
Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - “recognition of environmental crimes, including the crime of ecocide … would strengthen accountability for environmental harms”
Pope Francis - "This is a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised." Princess Esmeralda of Belgium - “It is time to make ecocide a crime against humanity." Antonio Guterres - It is "highly desirable" to include ecocide as a crime at the International Criminal Court. Paul McCartney - "The idea is clearly catching on... and not before time if we are to prevent further devastation of the planet." Tarja Halonen - "Stopping Ecocide through international criminal law is essential". Cara Delevingne - "Mass damage and destruction of nature is called Ecocide and it should be an international crime, just like genocide." Professor Philippe Sands KC - "I’m absolutely convinced that this crime of ecocide will be adopted. The only issue is not whether, but when and in what form.” Dr Jane Goodall - “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.” Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights - “recognition of environmental crimes, including the crime of ecocide … would strengthen accountability for environmental harms”
