In a landmark move for global environmental protection, the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers has adopted a new Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law providing the basis for a more coherent criminal justice response by states to environmental crime, including across borders.
Reflecting a collective response to the "triple planetary crisis" of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, the treaty is an international legally binding instrument specifically focused on the criminal dimensions of environmental damage. It provides a robust legal framework for states to combat serious environmental crimes that have at times gone unpunished or under-prosecuted.
The new treaty, approved by consensus, is a resounding call to action. It was developed over two years by experts and stakeholders from the 46 member States, alongside contributions from the EU, UN, INTERPOL, and civil society across Europe and beyond. It reinforces the message that environmental destruction is not just a policy failure but may also constitute a crime and demand strong legal tools and international cooperation. The Convention includes a monitoring mechanism to ensure effective implementation and accountability.
The treaty defines and criminalises a wide array of environment related offences and enables States to prosecute intentional conduct resulting in environmental disasters tantamount to ecocide.
Provisions on corporate liability, sanctions, jurisdiction, and organised crime reflect the evolving nature of environmental offences and their links to transnational criminal networks.
"This Convention is a game-changer for environmental protection," said Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset. "It tackles today's urgent ecological threats head-on and taps into the strength of criminal justice to defend the Planet. The Convention is one of the pillars of our new Strategy on the Environment. Together, they mark a bold step forward, linking environmental action with human rights, democracy, and the rule of law."
In addition to the new treaty, the Committee of Ministers also adopted a new long-term strategy on the environment, aimed at addressing the accelerating environmental crisis through the lens of human rights, democratic governance, and the rule of law.
Building on the momentum of the 2023 Reykjavík Declaration, this comprehensive strategy - supported by an operational action plan - sets out five strategic objectives to tackle the intertwined threats of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss.
The strategy also reinforces commitments to preserve wildlife, ecosystems and landscapes, drawing on the Council's longstanding instruments such as the Bern and Landscape Conventions.
Through targeted initiatives and international cooperation, the Council of Europe envisions a future in which all human beings enjoy their human rights and live in a clean, healthy and sustainable environment, offering a bold and timely roadmap for a more resilient and just future.
