By Abbas Nazil
The Council of Europe has opened for signature a groundbreaking Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, marking a major step toward strengthening global legal action against environmental crime.
The Republic of Moldova, Portugal and the European Union became the first signatories, signalling strong initial support for the new treaty.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset urged all remaining member states to swiftly sign and ratify the convention, stressing the urgency of addressing the environmental crimes that endanger the planet’s future.
The treaty responds to the global “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss, offering a coherent criminal justice framework to prosecute serious environmental offences, including those comparable to ecocide.
Developed with input from member states, the Holy See, the EU, the United Nations, INTERPOL and civil society, the convention underscores that environmental destruction is not only a policy failure but can also constitute a criminal act requiring strong legal tools and international cooperation.
The convention outlines a wide range of environmental offences, provisions for corporate liability, sanctions and mechanisms to address organised crime linked to transnational environmental offences.
It also establishes a monitoring mechanism to ensure accountability and proper implementation among ratifying states.
The treaty will enter into force once ten countries ratify it, including at least eight Council of Europe member states, unlocking its full legal powers.
Berset called on governments to act quickly so enforcement can begin without delay, emphasising that environmental crime knows no borders and that non-member states may also join in future.