EU supports recognition of ecocide

EU supports recognition of ecocide

Dear friends - after a break in January we’re back with news a-plenty! EU - Parliament votes to encourage EU members states to recognize ecocide, while environment committee votes to examine the possibility of EU ecocide legislation Canada & Luxembourg both state that they will follow international ecocide law conversation with interest Ecocide expert drafting panel - meetings get under way, public consultation takes place Netherlands - Crimes Against Humanity communication with strong ecocide focus filed at the ICC in The Hague by French lawyer Bourdon on behalf of indigenous Chief Raoni France - Affaire du Siècle case landmark ruling says government has failed its climate obligations and can be held accountable by victims, while trial continues on ecocidal Agent Orange chemical case UK - Dasgupta report says economy must protect nature, while Supreme Court ruling says Shell can be held accountable for damage by subsidiaries

EU: taking ecocide seriously

In an amendment to its report on Human Rights and Democracy in the World 2019, the European Parliament voted to urge “the EU and the Member States to promote the recognition of ecocide as an international crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC)”.    And In its opinion on the liability of corporations for environmental damage, the European Parliament’s ENVI (environmental) Committee echoed that vote - and also asked “the Commission to study its relevance for EU law and EU diplomacy”.

Canada & Luxembourg to follow ecocide law developments

In its official response to a parliamentary petition submitted last November, the Canadian government has stated that it is “committed to be a world leader for climate… and will continue to follow closely the discussions on ecocide at the international level.”

Luxembourg’s Ministers of Foregn Affairs and of the Environment have meanwhile promised that the government is “ready to support the recognition of ecocide in European and international law when the time comes.”

Former President of Finland (2000-2012), Tarja Halonen, publically expresses her support for an international crime of ecocide and becomes a signed up ‘earth protector’

More about states leading on ecocide law at our dedicated web page

Definition drafting & consultation

In January the Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide had its first full meeting and drafting is now under way.  The panel session was supported around the globe with ceremony held by Elders of the Mother Earth Delegation of United Original Nations, “lighting our sacred fires, standing with Mother Earth so Her voice can inform this panel of Her laws of nature.” (Grandmother Jyoti Ma) A public consultation was launched in January to encourage diverse input to the panel. Reports and background considerations have also been sought from respected scientific, indigenous, youth, corporate, faith and climate policy voices. The closing date on the consultation has been extended to Sunday 21st Feb.

UK Treasury landmark report

The UK Treasury’s Dasgupta report marks a sea-change in economic thinking in the government context.  While still using the financial language of “natural capital” and “ecosystem services”, there is nonetheless a genuine and significant shift towards acknowledging our interconnectedness with, and responsibility towards, the natural world.

French: Ecocide and the Agent Orange case Spanish: Programa Utopías, Radio3

19/01 Raven Trust / Stop Ecocide Canada: Crimes against nature and indigenous sovereignty 18/02 EarthX: Amazonian Indigenous Voices 20/02 World Federalist Movement / Institute of Global Policy: Towards a common future