who supports it
An idea whose time has come
Support for ecocide law spans governments, scientists, legal institutions, faith communities and civil society across every region of the world.
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notable supporters
Champions on every continent
Leading figures in diplomacy, law, science, faith, academia, culture, youth and indigenous groups and more have publicly endorsed ecocide law.
Ervin Laszio
Founder, President of the Club of Budapest

“In these days when the human impact on the environment is becoming everyday more evident and proves to be not only damaging to our surroundings but a serious threat to human life and survival, it is imperative that we should declare Ecocide a Crime Against Peace.

Sir Shridath Ramphal
Former Commonwealth Secretary General and author of ‘Our Country, the Planet’

“I urge serious global support for the work of the Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide, organised by the Stop Ecocide Foundation. Their ‘Commentary and Core Text’ of a definition of ‘ecocide’ as an international crime deserve humanity’s urgent attention.”

Zakia Khattabi
Minister of Climate, Environment, Sustainable Development and Green Deal, Belgium

“The inclusion of ecocide as a crime in the Rome Statute would mean that the International Criminal Court would have the power to try these crimes just as it can today condemn a crime of genocide or a crime against humanity.....Agreeing on ecocide as a crime could contribute to a change of mentality and to increased environmental protection."

Dr Sylvia Earle
Marine biologist & oceanographer

"There is a real case to be made for recognising ecocide in the International Criminal Court right along with genocide. Our existence is on the line."

Fiamẽ Naomi Mata ʻAfa
Prime Minister of Samoa

'We call on all leaders to join us as we explore pathways for addressing ecological destruction and climate breakdown… with the proposal of an amendment to the Rome Statute as a concrete first step.'

Frans Timmermans
First Vice President of the European Commission

“Within 2-3 years our citizens will have the same sense of urgency pertaining to the risk of ecocide as they have now with the climate crisis, and its right to have that.”

Tarja Halonen
Former President of Finland (2000-2012)

"Stopping Ecocide through international criminal law is essential for the survival of our cultures and economies and decisive in order to safeguard global ecosystems with their species variety, as the collective life insurance of humanity."

Judge Tuiloma Neroni Slade
Former ICC judge. Panelist, Independent Expert Panel for the legal definition of Ecocide Speaking at the ICC official side event: ‘Ecocide: a fifth crime defined.’

‘The scientific evidence and authoritative assessments are overwhelming… For small, vulnerable countries, there is little other option…. it is the rule of law that provides the most effective protection.’

Dr Jane Goodall DBE
Ethologist and Founder of Jane Goodall Institute. UN Messenger of Peace

“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.”

Nikenike Vurobaravy
President of Vanuatu

"We call on states to join the group of nations proposing to include the crime of ecocide in the Rome statute. Acting with the knowledge of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment can no longer be tolerated.”

Chile Eboe-Osuji
4th President of the International Criminal Court

"I’m firmly in favour of seeing ecocide made an international crime over which the ICC has jurisdiction."

His Excellency William Roelants De Stappers
Ambassador of Belgium to The Hague

'Belgium is continuing internal discussion with a view to a possible criminalisation of the crime of ecocide in its penal code, complemented by efforts at the international level to raise awareness.'

Pope Francis
Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church

“By ‘ecocide’ we should understand the loss, damage and destruction of ecosystems of a given territory, so that its enjoyment by the inhabitants has been or may be severely affected. This is a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised as such by the international community.”

Princess Esmeralda of Belgium
Princess Esmeralda of Belgium

"Quote"

António Guterres
UN Secretary-General

“That there are only a handful of States that have criminalized ecocide is a reminder of the need to establish a crime of ecocide at the international level.”

Ervin Laszio
Founder, President of the Club of Budapest

“In these days when the human impact on the environment is becoming everyday more evident and proves to be not only damaging to our surroundings but a serious threat to human life and survival, it is imperative that we should declare Ecocide a Crime Against Peace.

Sir Shridath Ramphal
Former Commonwealth Secretary General and author of ‘Our Country, the Planet’

“I urge serious global support for the work of the Independent Expert Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide, organised by the Stop Ecocide Foundation. Their ‘Commentary and Core Text’ of a definition of ‘ecocide’ as an international crime deserve humanity’s urgent attention.”

Zakia Khattabi
Minister of Climate, Environment, Sustainable Development and Green Deal, Belgium

“The inclusion of ecocide as a crime in the Rome Statute would mean that the International Criminal Court would have the power to try these crimes just as it can today condemn a crime of genocide or a crime against humanity.....Agreeing on ecocide as a crime could contribute to a change of mentality and to increased environmental protection."

Dr Sylvia Earle
Marine biologist & oceanographer

"There is a real case to be made for recognising ecocide in the International Criminal Court right along with genocide. Our existence is on the line."

Fiamẽ Naomi Mata ʻAfa
Prime Minister of Samoa

'We call on all leaders to join us as we explore pathways for addressing ecological destruction and climate breakdown… with the proposal of an amendment to the Rome Statute as a concrete first step.'

Frans Timmermans
First Vice President of the European Commission

“Within 2-3 years our citizens will have the same sense of urgency pertaining to the risk of ecocide as they have now with the climate crisis, and its right to have that.”

Tarja Halonen
Former President of Finland (2000-2012)

"Stopping Ecocide through international criminal law is essential for the survival of our cultures and economies and decisive in order to safeguard global ecosystems with their species variety, as the collective life insurance of humanity."

Judge Tuiloma Neroni Slade
Former ICC judge. Panelist, Independent Expert Panel for the legal definition of Ecocide Speaking at the ICC official side event: ‘Ecocide: a fifth crime defined.’

‘The scientific evidence and authoritative assessments are overwhelming… For small, vulnerable countries, there is little other option…. it is the rule of law that provides the most effective protection.’

Dr Jane Goodall DBE
Ethologist and Founder of Jane Goodall Institute. UN Messenger of Peace

“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.”

Nikenike Vurobaravy
President of Vanuatu

"We call on states to join the group of nations proposing to include the crime of ecocide in the Rome statute. Acting with the knowledge of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment can no longer be tolerated.”

Chile Eboe-Osuji
4th President of the International Criminal Court

"I’m firmly in favour of seeing ecocide made an international crime over which the ICC has jurisdiction."

His Excellency William Roelants De Stappers
Ambassador of Belgium to The Hague

'Belgium is continuing internal discussion with a view to a possible criminalisation of the crime of ecocide in its penal code, complemented by efforts at the international level to raise awareness.'

Pope Francis
Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church

“By ‘ecocide’ we should understand the loss, damage and destruction of ecosystems of a given territory, so that its enjoyment by the inhabitants has been or may be severely affected. This is a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised as such by the international community.”

Princess Esmeralda of Belgium
Princess Esmeralda of Belgium

"Quote"

António Guterres
UN Secretary-General

“That there are only a handful of States that have criminalized ecocide is a reminder of the need to establish a crime of ecocide at the international level.”

Organisational supporters
Partnered with trusted organisations
From civil society and advocacy to law and business, expert organisations worldwide are collaborating with us to drive progress on ecocide law.
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A cross-sector movement
Support that spans every field
From ocean scientists to faith leaders, lawyers to farmers — the case for ecocide law is
being made across every sector of society. Explore what it means for each.
Scientists
A growing number of leading scientists from a broad range of disciplines all over the world are calling on governments to make ecocide a crime.
Ocean
International recognition of ecocide will provide a much-needed framework to protect ocean wildlife and marine ecosystems from the worst harms.
Forests
A global community of individuals, businesses and NGOs engaged in protection and restoration of forests calling on governments to support recognition of ecocide.
Farming & Land
Join people across the world interested in sustainable and regenerative farming or land management & how ecocide law can support their work.
Lawyers
Join our like-minded network of supporting lawyers, whether practising or academic, here.
Business
Businesses and financial institutions worldwide are recognising ecocide law as part of the operating landscape.
Faith
Faith for Ecocide Law is an inter-religious coalition gathering religious and spiritual leaders and voices to express support for an international crime of ecocide.
Art & Culture
A forum of connectivity for artists, creatives and anyone wishing to use their creativity to amplify and support the growing movement to make ecocide an international crime.
Youth
Youth for Ecocide Law is the youth branch of the international movement to criminalise massive environmental harm, bridging the youth movement/civil society and UN policy processes.
Education
Supporting educators and learners to explore the implications and benefits of ecocide law, and the potential of criminal law to protect nature.
Students
Join our international Student Ambassadors network and help grow the movement for ecocide law on your campus and beyond.
72%
of people believe severe environmental
destruction should be a crime
IPSOS SURVEY
Public opinion
Global public support
Across G20 countries, public majorities consistently back the principle that causing severe environmental destruction should be treated as a serious crime. This public mandate strengthens the case for legislative action at every level.
Where Ecocide Law is advancing
Explore the countries adopting, proposing or advocating for ecocide law.
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