Gina Miller Urges Criminalization of Ecocide, Citing UK’s Lagging Environmental Protection Compared to EU
Gina Miller, renowned for her anti-Brexit activism, is now leading the charge for the criminalization of ecocide in the UK, highlighting the nation’s significant gap behind the European Union in terms of environmental safeguarding.
Advocating for policy measures that would see major polluters facing severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to a decade or fines reaching £3.85 million, Miller emphasizes the urgency of robust environmental legislation.
In her impassioned plea, Miller points out that Brexit has not only weakened existing environmental regulations but has also hindered the country’s ability to keep pace with EU standards, thus jeopardizing its credibility as a global leader in environmental protection.
Defined as acts causing substantial, widespread, or long-term damage to the environment, ecocide has already been addressed through legislation in the EU, with France also implementing similar regulations.
Miller’s concerns are echoed by recent analysis from the Institute for European Environmental Policy, which highlights a concerning disparity in ambition between post-Brexit Britain and the EU in addressing the climate crisis, with the UK seemingly diluting its efforts on crucial issues like water treatment, air quality, and industrial emissions.
As the leader of the True & Fair party, Miller has integrated the criminalization of ecocide into the party’s manifesto, marking it as the first policy of its kind endorsed by a British political entity ahead of a general election.
Today we publish our @VoteTrueAndFair #environmental Pre-election Policy Paper – including a call for #ecocide to be criminalised as UK ‘far behind EU’ https://t.co/4fPUtUYWYK @ChrisGPackham @Independent
Press release here https://t.co/ZAl2MHfqWn#climatechange
— Gina Miller (@thatginamiller) March 25, 2024
With climate change indicators hitting record levels, as reported by the World Meteorological Organisation, Miller stresses the urgency of action, asserting that mainstream parties’ lackluster policies pose a dire threat to future generations.
The True & Fair party’s proposal not only seeks domestic enforcement but also calls for ecocide to be recognized as an international crime by the International Criminal Court, placing it alongside other grave offenses like genocide and war crimes.
Receiving support from notable figures such as broadcaster Chris Packham and environmental campaigner Georgia Elliott-Smith, the True & Fair party’s initiative is hailed as a bold and essential step in combatting the climate and biodiversity crises.
In response to these calls for action, an Environment Department (Defra) spokesperson reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to enhancing environmental protection standards, citing new legally binding targets and stringent measures to hold polluters accountable.
As the debate intensifies, Miller’s campaign underscores the pressing need for decisive action to safeguard the planet and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Author: DA
Surce: The Independent: Gina Miller calls for ecocide to be criminalised as she warns UK ‘far behind EU’
