Proposal and consultation for Scottish Parliament Member's bill to ban Ecocide

09 November 2023

Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, hopes to introduce a Member's Bill in the Scottish Parliament to make ecocide an international crime.  She writes

The opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all is at risk. World-leading scientists warn that “climate change is a grave and mounting threat to our wellbeing and healthy planet.” Many of the 
ecosystems we depend on are at the point of no return. Halting the continued decline of wildlife is vital, including in Scotland, where iconic species like the red squirrel and capercaillie face extinction.  While most people accept that governments must do more to stop the mass destruction of the environment, there is a growing recognition that additional laws may be needed to protect the planet and people.

That is why I am inviting you to take part in this consultation on a proposal to prevent the most serious crimes against the environment. Examples of ecocide include oil spills such as the Braer oil spill in Shetland where 85,000 tonnes of crude oil devastated the local environment, radioactive contamination, unsustainable fishing practices and the proliferation of plastics in our seas which are endangering our marine ecosystems.  

Stop Ecocide International (SEI) is a driving force behind the growing global movement to make ecocide an international crime.  The movement seeks to achieve this by  amending the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to include ecocide within its jurisdiction. This would make ecocide the fifth international crime against peace 
alongside the crimes of genocide, aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Monica Lennon's video introduction

Read the consultation document  (PDF)

Respond to the consultation     (closes 9 February 2024)

A definition of ecocide:
unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts.
from Stop Ecocide Foundation.

Laura Donnelly is exploring the possibility of arranging a 'Climate Cafe' Zoom meeting with Monica Lennon and others to discuss the issue.  She writes

I am scoping to see if there is interest in a zoom session on this in January with Monica Lennon MSP, and others, to learn more about what this means in Scotland and the global picture.  We also hope this leads to an engagement session with Climate Cafés directly in February. Please let me know if this is of interest to you and I'll follow up. 

Email Laura at  laura@transitionblackisle.org