Have your say this February: Committee on Legal Affairs Vote

 

In the coming weeks the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) will be voting on whether or not to include the crime of ecocide in the revised directive. This is a historic opportunity and we can all influence the outcome by writing to committee members. 

 

The 2008 EU Directive on protection of the environment through criminal law is currently being revised.  In the current draft, ecocide is mentioned in the preamble, but not in the main operative part where offences are listed.  

We believe ecocide should be added as a new criminal offence, creating an enforceable deterrent to the most severe and either widespread or long-term harms to nature.  Recognizing ecocide as a crime in the directive will: 

​

• support and strengthen existing environmental laws in all EU member states

• create a much-needed “outer boundary” guardrail for economic activity

• empower strategic positive change and innovation in policy and 

• Industry

​

This is a legal and moral opportunity for the EU to lead the world in protecting life on Earth: for us, for our children and for all living beings.  

Let’s tell them to seize it.