Congolese lawyer, politician, and human rights activist

"The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a solution country in the face of the climate crisis: with 62% of the Congo Basin’s forest cover, it is home to the planet’s largest remaining tropical rainforest and extraordinary biodiversity. Yet this natural wealth is threatened by massive and unregulated destruction. Recognising ecocide as a crime is a vital legal tool to protect the DRC’s ecosystems, defend its communities, and build truly sustainable development."

Environmentalist, model, actress

“Mass damage and destruction of nature is called Ecocide and it should be an international crime, just like genocide. That's why I signed up to the Stop Ecocide campaign, working with lawyers, researchers and diplomats to make Ecocide a crime at the International Criminal Court.”

First Vice President of the European Commission

“Within 2-3 years our citizens will have the same sense of urgency pertaining to the risk of ecocide as they have now with the climate crisis, and its right to have that.”

Former President of Finland (2000-2012)

"Stopping Ecocide through international criminal law is essential for the survival of our cultures and economies and decisive in order to safeguard global ecosystems with their species variety, as the collective life insurance of humanity."

Speaking at the ICC official side event: 'Ecocide: a fifth crime defined'

'Ecocide would need to be a true ICC crime inline with the Rome Statute and in harnessing the power of international criminal law for the protection of our shared global government.'

Ethologist and Founder of Jane Goodall Institute. UN Messenger of Peace

“The concept of Ecocide is long overdue. It could lead to an important change in the way people perceive – and respond to – the current environmental crisis.”

Singer, songwriter, co-founder Meat Free Monday

“Recently heard about this campaign to make #ECOCIDE (serious damage and destruction of nature) a crime at the International Criminal Court. The idea is clearly catching on... and not before time if we are to prevent further devastation of the planet. I've just signed up as an “Earth Protector” to support it.”

Image © Mary McCartney

Journalist, author and activist

"We are in an environmental emergency.”

“It is time to make ecocide a crime against humanity and put the rights of people and Nature first to create a healthy and sustainable planet for all species."

Bishop of Rome and head of the Catholic Church

“By ‘ecocide’ we should understand the loss, damage and destruction of ecosystems of a given territory, so that its enjoyment by the inhabitants has been or may be severely affected. This is a fifth category of crimes against peace, which should be recognised as such by the international community.”

President of Vanuatu

"We call on states to join the group of nations proposing to include the crime of ecocide in the Rome statute. Acting with the knowledge of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment can no longer be tolerated.”

Prime Minister of Samoa

'We call on all leaders to join us as we explore pathways for addressing ecological destruction and climate breakdown… with the proposal of an amendment to the Rome Statute as a concrete first step.'

UN Secretary General

“That there are only a handful of States that have criminalized ecocide is a reminder of the need to establish a crime of ecocide at the international level.”