“The European Union has become the first international body to criminalise the most serious cases of environmental damage that are “comparable to ecocide”.
In a vote in the European Parliament on Tuesday, EU lawmakers overwhelmingly backed the move with 499 votes in favour, 100 against and 23 abstentions.
Ecosystem destruction, including habitat loss and illegal logging, will be punished with tougher penalties and prison sentences under the EU’s updated environmental crime directive.
Countries will have two years to put the updated directive, which covers crimes ‘comparable to ecocide’, into national law."
