Well over 112,000 signatures!

Over 112,000 EU citizens want to End Ecocide

Brussels, 22.01.2014:  As the European Commission unveils its climate and energy
package for 2030, over 112,000 EU citizens have given their personal data in support of a new law
which would make the destruction of ecosystems a crime called Ecocide.

Deepwater Horizon, Fukushima, the Erika oil spill or Rosia Montana are just a few examples of
catastrophes which could be prevented through this new law establishing a strict liability for
both, decision-makers in business and government, as well as corporations, for such crimes. The
volunteers have collected at least 112,000 signatures in support of such a law, which they are now
planning to hand in as ordinary petition to the European Parliament, having failed the 1 million
threshold required for a European Citizens’ Initiative. To that end, they will continue to collect
signatures.

Prisca Merz, volunteer Director of End Ecocide in Europe, says: “Emission targets set today will
impact investment decisions for years to come. The EU must assume its responsibility to ensure its
citizens’ right to a healthy environment, for current and future generations. It is my generation
that will suffer from the wrong decisions being made today. The current legal framework sets the
wrong incentives. The law of ecocide prevention could trigger the transition to the sustainable and
low-carbon economy which is so urgently needed.”

The citizens’ initiative was entirely volunteers-run and relied on very little funding. Data
requirements for a European Citizens’ Initiative in some member states are exorbitant, so that less
than 44% of those clicking on “Vote now” actually sign, so every second EU citizen’s voice is not
counted. “Given these circumstances, we can be very proud of having reached out to so many EU
citizens. This demonstrates that the European public demands this law and we are now more
determined than ever to continue on the path we started”, says Prisca.

A charter will be published on January 30th, calling for the establishment of a European and an
International Criminal Court for the Environment. This charter is the result of a newly formed
coalition of organisations advocating for the recognition of environmental crimes. End Ecocide in
Europe is very proud to be among the initiating organisations.

In conclusion, Prisca says: “When we started this initiative, very few Europeans knew what
‘ecocide’ was. Now, over 112,000 EU citizens have voted for it and society is engaging in a much
wider debate about this important concept. We have sparked a lot of interest and most importantly,
we have built a network of organisations and individuals sharing our aims. This network will
continue. I would like to thank personally each and every single person who has contributed to
making this happen, countless volunteers all over Europe and every concerned citizen who has
forwarded our information and added their vote! You all are pioneers! Thank you!”