Global asset managers call for ecocide law

The International Corporate Governance Network, a global investor-led network whose members control over half the world’s assets under management ($59 trillion) has called on governments to collaborate internationally on criminalising ecocide.  

The ICGN’s full official statement for COP26 is here.  The statement acknowledges the stark and inter-related threats of climate change and biodiversity loss and states that: “Corporate boards, management, investors, the auditing profession, standard setters and others have unique responsibilities to clearly identify challenges, determine solutions, and implement assertive action.”

Amongst its recommendations, the statement urges governments to “mandate regulation and collaborate internationally to criminalise ecocide.”

A spokesperson for the network explained that “legal remedies… are viewed as part of a system of legal deterrence that can be of great value… Given the urgency of the challenges we face, [ecocide] is a concept that needs to advance.”