Ecocide…A Fifth International Crime?

Calls for ICC’s Roman Statute to be updated are renewed amidst the Israel-Hamas war.

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Bombings, digging trenches, firearms, and missiles are synonymous with warfare, so much so that environmental damage is inevitable. An insignificant by-product of war, overshadowed by the looming casualty counts and the destruction of homes. However, sabotaging rivers and fertile lands, leading to civilians battling with food and water insecurity long after the war, are intentional acts to oppress the occupied nation further. Thus, the International Criminal Court recognizes as a war crime within the jurisdiction. Under these grounds, Ukraine is preparing a case against Russia, dating back to Russia’s seizure of that destroyed towns and villages.

However, this framework for prosecuting groups or individuals damaging the environment only applies in wartime. Therefore, companies that continually pollute rivers and burn fossil fuels will not be criminalized under International law despite their actions causing long-term and severe damage to the natural environment, subsequently affecting the local communities’ living standards. Thus, many green activists such…