Ecocide: Soon an Official Major Crime

Scotland has passed a bill criminalizing environmental destruction. If found guilty, company directors could face prison sentences or substantial fines.

“I think it’s really important to renew hope and put environmental protection at the top of the agenda,” says MP Monica Lennon from the Scottish Labour who tabled the ecocide (Scotland) bill. “This should give confidence to policymakers, and ensure the public knows we’re making sure our laws are fit for purpose and closing gaps and loopholes. We just don’t talk about the nature emergency: we have a robust legal framework too.”

The proposed law is the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. It is designed to put environmental offences on a similar legal footing to other grave crimes like murder. Brazil, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, and Peru are also pursuing domestic ecocide laws broadly defined as “unlawful or wanton acts” committed despite the knowledge that they could cause severe long-term environmental damage. More than 50 MPs from all the major parties in the Scottish parliament supported Lennon’s decision to table the bill.