June 2021: historic moment as Independent Expert Panel launches definition of ecocide
The Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide, convened by our charitable arm, the Stop Ecocide Foundation, concludes its groundbreaking drafting work and launches a proposed consensus definition of ecocide as an international crime.
Article 8 ter
Ecocide
- For the purpose of this Statute, “ecocide” means unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts.
- For the purpose of paragraph 1:“Wanton” means with reckless disregard for damage which would be clearly excessive in relation to the social and economic benefits anticipated;“Severe” means damage which involves very serious adverse changes, disruption or harm to any element of the environment, including grave impacts on human life or natural, cultural or economic resources;“Widespread” means damage which extends beyond a limited geographic area, crosses state boundaries, or is suffered by an entire ecosystem or species or a large number of human beings;“Long-term” means damage which is irreversible or which cannot be redressed through natural recovery within a reasonable period of time;“Environment” means the earth, its biosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, as well as outer space.
- “Wanton” means with reckless disregard for damage which would be clearly excessive in relation to the social and economic benefits anticipated;
- “Severe” means damage which involves very serious adverse changes, disruption or harm to any element of the environment, including grave impacts on human life or natural, cultural or economic resources;
- “Widespread” means damage which extends beyond a limited geographic area, crosses state boundaries, or is suffered by an entire ecosystem or species or a large number of human beings;
- “Long-term” means damage which is irreversible or which cannot be redressed through natural recovery within a reasonable period of time;
- “Environment” means the earth, its biosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, as well as outer space.
Official translations:
Español, Français, Svenska, Nederlands, Italiano.
Unofficial translations:
Deutsche, Suomalainen, Türkçe, العربية, kiswahili, Lingala.
