Climate Security
Climate security refers to the various global security risks induced, directly or indirectly, by changes in climate patterns. The general idea is that certain effects of climate change may exacerbate existing risks that already endanger human security and/or create new ones.
Submissions to the ICC
Climate Counsel and partners have sent multiple submissions to the International Criminal Court urging action on the twin issues of climate security and environmental war crimes. We advocate for the Court to take a new approach, one that recognises the importance of the natural world and its rightful place in both existing and future international law. Below you will find our submissions to the ICC on these issues:
INITIAL COMMENTS
‘Maximizing Environmental Protection Under the Rome Statute’
12 March 2024: In response to an open invitation for comments, Climate Counsel has submitted its opinions on the forthcoming policy paper on environmental crimes to be issued by the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court.
Our argument consists of two main points: (a) Article 8 of the ICC’s Rome Statute on war crimes can be fully harmonized with existing conventional and customary international humanitarian law as it applies to the natural environment; and (b) Article 7 of the ICC’s Rome Statute on crimes against humanity provides a sufficient analytical framework to incorporate environmental damage as a criminal means, result, and/or impact.
In short, the Office of the Prosecutor can and should aim for maximum environmental protection within the bounds of established international criminal law.
Read our submission below
OPEN LETTER
Analysing Climate Security and Prosecuting Environmental Atrocity Crimes:
Opportunities for the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court
26 October 2023: Climate Counsel, Sudan Human Rights Hub, and Gisa Group have submitted an open letter to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court urging action on two key issues of our time: climate change as a driver of conflict (climate security) and and environmental atrocity crimes as a consequence of conflict.
Both issues are directly relevant to the work of the ICC’s Office of the Prosecutor in general, and the situation in Darfur, Sudan in particular. Furthermore, with its mandate, resources, and expertise, the Office of the Prosecutor is uniquely placed to promote (i) a better understanding of how climate change impacts mass crimes, by collating pertinent data, and (ii) the prevention of environmental atrocity crimes, by prosecuting those most responsible.
Read Our Open Letter Below
What the Lawyers Say:
Richard J Rogers, Executive Director of Climate Counsel:
“There is no doubt that climate change is having a compounding effect on many of the world's existing conflicts. Increased competition for resources like fertile land and fresh water is already disrupting societies and uprooting entire communities. International law must keep pace with the ecological crisis if bodies such as the United Nations are to adequately prepare for and prevent potential future atrocities.”
Moneim Adam, Director of Sudan Human Rights Hub:
“Armed groups are pursuing their conflicts with total disregard for the environment upon which communities depend. Instead they poison the soil and water through illegal gold mining for quick profit to help finance their wars. Communities already struggling to access sufficient land and water cannot face these crimes alone. The ICC must address these issues if it is to remain a relevant force for the current century.”
