Legal experts worldwide draw up ‘historic’ definition of ecocide

Draft law is intended to prosecute offences against the environment

Legal experts from across the globe have drawn up a historic" definition of ecocide, intended to be adopted by the international criminal court to prosecute the most egregious offences against the environment.

The draft law, unveiled on Tuesday, defines ecocide as unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts".