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PDF - Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law (CETS No. 228) (2026)
Reflecting a collective response to the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, 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.
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.
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.
Reflecting a collective response to the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, 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.
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.
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.