Ecocide (Scotland) Bill

# Ecocide (Scotland) Bill Synopsis The Ecocide (Scotland) Bill seeks to establish a new domestic criminal offence of ecocide—broadly defined as unlawful or reckless conduct causing severe and widespread damage to ecosystems. The bill addresses a perceived gap in Scottish criminal law by creating a specific legal mechanism to prosecute large-scale environmental destruction that may cause significant harm to human welfare and ecological systems. This proposal reflects growing international momentum to recognise ecocide as a serious crime, alongside concerns that existing environmental legislation may insufficiently deter or penalise the most severe forms of ecological damage. The bill introduces ecocide as a criminal offence applicable to individuals and corporate entities, establishing liability for actions that cause severe damage to the environment whether committed knowingly or recklessly. Key provisions would allow prosecution for conduct that substantially and irreversibly damages ecosystems or significantly impairs their ability to support human life. The bill grants Scottish courts jurisdiction over the offence and establishes sentencing frameworks intended to reflect the gravity of ecocide. As a Member's Bill, its progression through Parliament depends on securing sufficient parliamentary time and cross-party support. The bill represents an attempt to position Scotland as a leader in environmental criminal law, though its passage would require navigating complex questions about legal definitions, enforcement practicality, and potential overlap with existing environmental statutes.

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