Nature Under Siege: ICC Jurisdiction, Environmental Atrocities, and the Ukrainian War

• In Event: Green Criminology III: Crimes of and Against the Future

Abstract

Crimes against the environment, a relatively new concept, reflect the evolution of international criminal law. Despite widespread agreement on the need to protect the environment, there is currently no dedicated international criminal tribunal for environmental crimes, and global enforcement systems are notably ineffective. These crimes not only devastate communities but also pose a significant threat to the planet's future. Green criminology shows promise in bridging the gap between theory and practice in prosecuting international environmental offenses. This research focuses on the large-scale environmental destruction caused by the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine, highlighting the concepts of ecocide and crimes against future generations, with environmental damage estimated at €53 billion and rising. The occupation has already caused significant damage in notably valuable natural areas, particularly those located along the coasts of the Azov and Black Seas, as well as in the lower reaches of the Danube and Dnieper rivers. The striking illustration of this threat was the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam. The study aims to prompt academic discussions on enhancing international cooperation and legal mechanisms to address environmental degradation and promote global environmental justice, with funding from the National Science Centre (Poland) under the "PRELUDIUM-21" program (reg. no. 2022/45 /N/HS5/04118).

Author

• Szymon Michał Buczyński, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn Poland