“ICC Office of the Prosecutor launches Policy on Addressing Environmental Damage Through the Rome Statute”, 4 December 2025

Today, the Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) of the International Criminal Court (ICC) launched its Policy on Addressing Environmental Damage Through the Rome Statute.

The first Policy issued by the OTP in this area outlines how the Office may use its mandate and powers to investigate and prosecute Rome Statute crimes with an environmental dimension. Consistent with the OTP’s mandate and its Policy on Complementarity and Cooperation, the Policy also highlights the Office’s support for national efforts to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes…

Through this Policy, the Office signals its determination to assist in preventing and addressing unlawful environmental harm by conducting focused investigations and prosecutions of Rome Statute crimes that have an environmental dimension, by supporting national efforts at accountability, and by fostering cooperation with civil society and corporate actors. The Office further aims to advance international jurisprudence and best practices to strengthen global accountability for crimes that affect the environment…

The Policy is a result of a global consultation process incorporating comments received from States, civil society actors, experts, and practitioners…

Building on the foundation of this Policy, the Office will now translate its principles into action, ensuring that environmental accountability and justice guide its daily work…