A New Study of the Criminalization of Ecocide in International Criminal Law: Challenges, New Developments, and National Legislative Requirements

Abstract

Global warming, widespread deforestation, marine pollution, and biodiversity loss in recent decades have shifted global concern about ecocide from the realm of ethics and the environment to the realm of international criminal law. The criminalization of ecocide is not only an effort to preserve the planet but also represents a redefinition of the relationship between humans and nature. Based on ethical, legal, and environmental foundations, this article reviews the historical course of the criminalization of ecocide, analyzes new developments in European and international legislation (2023–2025), examines implementation challenges, and provides appropriate solutions for integrating this concept into the national and international legal system. The ultimate goal of this research is to outline a framework for the effective implementation of this crime at the international and national levels to ensure that the greatest environmental threats will face the most severe criminal responses.