Summary
On November 30, 2023, a bill was introduced in UK Parliament by Baroness Rosie Boycott to introduce a new crime of ecocide into law. The legislation defines ecocide as “unlawful or wanton acts or omissions committed by persons of superior responsibility who had knowledge, or should have had knowledge, that there was a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment.” Under the proposed language, serious environmental damage directly resulting from decisions made by those in the most senior positions of power would lead to criminal prosecution.
The first reading stage is a formality that signals the start of the bill’s journey through the Lords. The second reading – the general debate on all aspects of the bill – is yet to be scheduled.
Suggested Citation:
Kauffman, Craig, Catherine Haas, Alex Putzer, Shrishtee Bajpai, Kelsey Leonard, Elizabeth Macpherson, Pamela Martin, Alessandro Pelizzon & Linda Sheehan. Eco Jurisprudence Monitor. V2. 2025. Distributed by the Eco Jurisprudence Monitor.https://ecojurisprudence.org/initiatives/united-kingdom-ecocide-bill/.
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