the European Union is preparing to ratify the crime of ecocide in its law

The European Union is preparing to recognize in its law the notion of environmental crime or ecocide. The European Parliament, the European Commission and the European Council must meet in trilogue on Thursday November 16 at 3:30 p.m., to validate the text unanimously adopted on March 29 by MEPs, reports France Inter. Unless the situation changes, this will be ratified, which will then push States to include it in their national law.

It is “a revolutionary legal tool”, welcomes MEP Marie Toussaint who brought this initiative. The European Parliament proposes to define the crime of ecocide “as unlawful or deliberate acts or omission committed with knowledge of the high probability that such acts or omission will cause serious and widespread or lasting damage to the environment.”

“Fourth largest criminal activity in the world”, according to Interpol

Marie Toussaint cites several examples: “A massive spreading of pesticides, we are thinking of very significant oil spills, destruction of ecosystems, forest fires… So this text would make it possible to condemn them”, with penalties of up to eight years’ imprisonment, or even more in the event of a repeat offense. This was not possible until now. The MEP discusses the legal proceedings against the company Chemours in the Netherlands. This “multinational has spread PFAS, extremely dangerous perennial pollutants. There could be criminal prosecution for ecocide or environmental crime depending on the extent of the damage, with years of prison behind for those who commit these violations in the sole pursuit of profit”, explains the elected environmentalist.

According to Interpol and the United Nations Environment Program, “Environmental crime represents the fourth largest criminal activity in the world after drug trafficking, human trafficking and counterfeiting; it increases by 5% to 7% per year.”