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 global conversations around 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.

28th November 2024
Peru: Ecocide Law approved by Justice Commision

On November 27th, the Justice and Human Rights Commission of the Peruvian Congress approved a motion to criminalise ecocide, incorporating key elements of the 2021 IEP consensus legal definition. This significant step toward adding ecocide to the Penal Code now awaits plenary approval by Congress and presidential promulgation to become law.

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”