Ecocide Included As A Crime In The New Criminal Code

In our newsletter of 17 November 2022 titled 'Ecocide as a Crime of International Law in the New Criminal Code: A New Weapon against Polluters?' we already announced that the new Criminal Code would include 'ecocide' as a new crime. Ecocide is included in Book II under a new title 'Title 2 Crime of Ecocide'. On 22 February 2024, the Parliament approved Book II of the new Criminal Code.

'Ecocide' is defined as 'to deliberately commit, by any act or omission, an illegal act which causes severe, extensive and long-lasting damage to the environment, (...)'. Consequently, it entails the prosecution of the perpetrators of illegal acts, which cause severe environmental damage, which moreover has to be extensive and long-lasting. The three criteria are cumulative.