Experts approve Model Law on Ecocide for Latin America

Experts have approved a Model Law on Ecocide for Latin America, designed to harmonize the definition and prosecution of environmental crimes across the region. The initiative responds to rising mineral exploitation for technology and an increase in the killings of environmental defenders.

Defined as “any unlawful or arbitrary act committed with the knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of causing widespread, long-term or severe damage to the environment,” the model law serves as an academic reference rather than a binding treaty. It is intended as a template that regional parliaments can adapt to their specific legal and social realities.

The development process began in 2021 and involved a two-phase participatory approach, including a public consultation and meetings with 74 experts, including lawyers and professors, from 14 different countries. The goal is to adapt international definitions of ecocide, which are often based on Anglo-Saxon legal systems, to the specific legal frameworks of Latin American nations.