Ecocide: What It Is — And Why We Need Legislation Now
With the 30th session of the COP30 currently underway, in Belém, Brazil, scheduled from the 10th – 21st of November, the world stands at a pivotal moment in the fight for our planet. The very concept of “ecocide”—the large-scale destruction of ecosystems, with severe and long-term impacts on the environment and communities—has never been more urgent than now.
What is Ecocide?
The word “ecocide” comes from the Greek ‘oikos’ (home or habitat) and Latin ‘caedere’ (to kill). Simply put, it means the killing of our home or to kill the habitat. It refers to acts—whether deliberate or reckless—that lead to substantial, widespread or long-term environmental damage. The independent panel of international lawyers from SEI (Stop Ecocide International) and other non-profit organisations working on this subject defines it as:
“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.
This definition captures not just intentional destruction, but also negligence and reckless disregard for the environment and living ecosystems.
Why Now?
- The Climate Deadline Is Near
At COP30, the message from the United Nations is clear: we must “ignite a decade of acceleration and delivery” if we are to keep the 1.5 °C target alive. Most climate scientists are sounding the alarm that we have already overshot the 1.5-degree target, but governments and corporations keep continuing with a ‘business as usual’ mindset while making empty promises. Ambition alone is not enough; we need enforceable measures. Recognising ecocide as a crime would provide a legal tool for holding polluters and governments alike accountable for their actions.
- Major Powers Are Sidestepping the Debate
Alarmingly, some of the world’s most influential nations remain on the sidelines of meaningful climate leadership. For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States has launched sweeping deregulatory actions in 2025 under President Trump that rolled back key protections for greenhouse-gas emissions and vehicle standards. If the world’s biggest emitters refuse to engage and weaken their guardrails, the rest of the planet will ultimately pay the price.
- Our Legal & Regulatory Tools Are Inadequate
Current environmental laws often treat ecosystem destruction as a regulatory or civil matter, not a criminal one. That means that even extreme damage—deforestation, toxic spills, coral-reef devastation—can be treated as a cost of doing business. Codifying ecocide as a crime in line with genocide and crimes against humanity will signal that large‐scale harm to our life-support systems is not just regrettable—it is unacceptable.
- Vulnerable Communities Are Paying the Price
Often, the hardest hit are those who depend directly on land, water and nature for their livelihoods—indigenous peoples, rural communities, and future generations. With no criminal liability for perpetrators of ecosystem destruction, many of these communities lack recourse. Recognising ecocide would strengthen their rights and require that corporations and governments respect nature and people alike.
How Does This Tie to COP30?
Brazil’s hosting of COP30 in Belém brings the Amazon region—and its critical role in sequestering carbon and regulating the planet’s climate systems—into sharp focus. The choice of this venue underscores the urgency of protecting ecosystems. But it also raises the bar: this must not be a conference of promises, but a turning point for action. Recognising ecocide as a crime would send a message globally: nature rights matter, and time is running out.
A Call to Action for TNKgreen and Our Community
At TNKgreen, we believe sustainability must be backed by both conviction and concrete change. The recognition of ecocide isn’t a symbolic gesture—it’s a necessary lever in a world where ecosystems are collapsing and the regulatory safety net is fraying. With COP30 underway, we must embrace this moment and demand that world leaders take action by:
- Pushing for national and international laws that criminalise large-scale environmental destruction.
- Support policies that hold individuals (corporate officers, government decision-makers) accountable, not just institutions.
- Engage our networks—businesses, civil society, governments—to elevate ecosystem protection above short-term gain.
- Amplify voices from communities rooted in nature whose survival depends on our collective success.
Final Thoughts
The world is entering a make-or-break phase for our climate future. Every fraction of temperature rise, every hectare of forest lost, every ecosystem collapse accelerates the risk to our future. Recognising ecocide at a legal level is not just desirable—it is essential. As world leaders sit at COP30 in Belém, the stakes are unmistakable: our common home is under siege, and the time for transformative action is now.
At TNKgreen, we stand ready—and we call on you to stand with us. Because protecting ecosystems is not optional. It is the foundation of our future.
