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9. AM Ecocide Amendments to draft resolution On the crime of Ecocide № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 1 Bündnis 90/ 1 replace On an international recognition of the Tackle environmental destruction: Die Grünen crime of ecocide: 2 Bündnis 90/ 25 replace that global warming must be limited to agreed to holding the increase in the global Die Grünen 1,5°C. average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change. Amendments on Draft Resolution on an international recognition of the crime of ecocide European Green Party - 5th Congress, Liverpool, UK, 30 March-2 April 2017 1 № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 3 Vihreät - De 30-36 delete According to environmental scientists Not necessary for making the point, Gröna Johan Rockström (Stockholm Resilience the chapter draws the attention Centre) and Will Steffen (Australian away from the point of the National University), these are two among resolution making it unnecessarily four “planetary boundaries” that have long. 4 Strana 30-36 replace already been exceeded. These “planetary These present two out of nine “planetary The original text presents the zelenych boundaries” involve nine thresholds on boundaries”, or nine thresholds on core concept of "planetary boundaries" (Czech core environmental issues (greenhouse gas environmental issues, beyond which human only as an opinion of Rockstrom Greens) amount in atmosphere, biodiversity, but existence would be threatened. The concept and Steffen and, moreover, it does also ocean acidification, land use for crop, has been introduced by a group of not state any source, that this consumption of freshwater...) beyond international scientists, led by Johan opinion is based on. This appears as which human existence would be Rockström (Stockholm Resilience Centre) a weak point of the text, almost as threatened. For these scientists, four of and Will Steffen (Australian National a private opinion of these two them had been crossed in January 2015 University), and comprises climate change, people, while for the purpose of because of human activity since the ocean acidification, ozone depletion, the resolution is this view essential, industrial era. phosphorus and nitrogen cycles, biodiversity because it is built on its logic. loss, land-system change, aerosol loading, Rockström and Steffen are merely freshwater consumption and chemical two from a team of 29 scientists pollution [1]. According to these scientists, that published the concept in 2009. four of the planetary boundaries had been In order to give the text more crossed in January 2015 because of human credibility, it would be appropriate activity since the industrial era. to use this information in the text. 5 Bündnis 90/ 40 replace states fail to implement national states fail to implement and enforce Die Grünen environmental laws national and international environmental laws Amendments on Draft Resolution on an international recognition of the crime of ecocide European Green Party - 5th Congress, Liverpool, UK, 30 March-2 April 2017 2 № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 6 Vihreät - De 48-54 delete 5. Throughout the world, initiatives that Not necessary for making the point, Gröna present systemic solutions to the the chapter draws the attention degradation of the natural environment away from the point of the through an adaptation of public and resolution making it unnecessarily criminal international law are multiplying. long. Whatever the approaches (Land Law, Rights of Nature, Rights of Future Generations, Human Right to a Healthy Environment, Crime of Ecocide), all are part of an innovative socio-eco-systematic perspective, according to which, human beings are an integral part of nature. This emergence and convergence of initiatives is the expression of a historical movement in favor of adapting international standards in the face of major environmental degradation. 7 Bündnis 90/ 51 delete Crime of Ecocide Die Grünen 8 Die Grünen 66 replace Natura 2000 the Habitat Directive 9 Bündnis 90/ 67-70 replace However, we still have to fight for the However, we still have to strengthen the Die Grünen recognition of nature as a subject of crime, recognition of a healthy nature being the basis for the generalisation of environmental of our own existence and therefore needs crimes within the EU and for establishing stronger protection within a binding that ecocides should be added within the international environmental law architecture. gravest crimes as understood by the Rome Statute. Amendments on Draft Resolution on an international recognition of the crime of ecocide European Green Party - 5th Congress, Liverpool, UK, 30 March-2 April 2017 3 № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 10 Bündnis 90/ 75 replace the crime of ecocide the destruction of the environment Die Grünen 11 Bündnis 90/ 79-85 replace In the short run, we support the demand In the short run, we support the aim of the Die Grünen by various movements of civil society to ICC to assess existing offences, such as recognise the crime of ecocide as a crime crimes against humanity, in a broader context. that can be prosecuted before the We welcome that the ICC sends a clear International Criminal Court (ICC). For warning and declares to give particular this, serious cases of environmental consideration to prosecuting Rome statute destruction, the health damage they cause, crimes that are committed by means of, or and the threat to the safety of the planet that result in, inter alia, the destruction of the they represent must be recognised as environment, the illegal exploitation of natural crimes. Recognising the crime of ecocide in resources or the illegal dispossession of land. peacetime would make it possible to try the perpetrators of the most serious environmental crimes and thus engage the responsibility of the leaders of transnational corporations, heads of state or directors of partner organisations 12 Bündnis 90/ 87-89 replace Demand that the EU strengthens its law Demand that EU and its Members Die Grünen against environmental crimes, strengthens their law enforcement recognizing the environment as a against environmental crimes and subject and victim of crimes, and destruction. In order to do so, the EU punishes the crime of ecocide. In should create a specialized Court for the order to do so, the EU will create a environment. specialized Court for health and environment. Amendments on Draft Resolution on an international recognition of the crime of ecocide European Green Party - 5th Congress, Liverpool, UK, 30 March-2 April 2017 4 № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 13 GroenLinks 88-89 delete In order to do so, the EU will create a in point 2 and 5 the resolution asks specialized Court for health and for the ICC and later a special IEC environment. to serve as a court for criminal actions against ecosystems and the environment. Therefore we do not see the additional value for an extra European criminal court. We prefer the ICC. In addition: By way of strengthening the EU law against ecocrimes, as is demanded in the first sentence of point 3, these crimes will be dealt with in the national judicial systems, which will be more efficient and quicker to implement. Amendments on Draft Resolution on an international recognition of the crime of ecocide European Green Party - 5th Congress, Liverpool, UK, 30 March-2 April 2017 5 № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 14 Groen 88-89 replace In orderto do so, the EU will create a As a first stepping stone towards more Why would we need a specialized specialized Court for health and stringent ecocide legislation, the Greens court? This is not explained in the environment. should seek to amend the existing directive text. It seems unrealistic, and on the protection of the environment through unnecessary. We should as a first criminal law by removing the element of step seek to advance feasible goals, intent in article 3 when extending liability to such as the strengthening of current people ‘with a leading position within the legal legislation. person.’ The fact that conduct should be ‘unlawful and committed intentionally or with at least serious negligence’ considerably weakens the directive and its interpretation with a view of criminalizing ecocide in the EU. The Greens should also seek to expand the directive to ecosystems, rather than air, soil, water, animals, plants, waste, dangerous substances and habitats within protected sites individually. 15 Bündnis 90/ 91 delete The EU should ask for the recognition of Die Grünen ecocide within the ICC through an amendment to 92 the Rome Statute Amendments on Draft Resolution on an international recognition of the crime of ecocide European Green Party - 5th Congress, Liverpool, UK, 30 March-2 April 2017 6 № Party Line Action Current Text Proposed Amendment Explanation 16 GroenLinks 94-103 replace In the longer run (for a next European commit ourselves to work on a normative The current text could suggest that Greens Meeting), we commit to work on a framework of “planetary boundaries”. This we open up existing treaties and we unification of all international should lead to a proposal to the United don't want that. environmental treaties (on oceans, coasts, Nations for the creation of an International forests, mountains, etc.) in a one single text Environmental Court (IEC) in charge of the under the normative framework of most serious violations of international “planetary boundaries”. This text will be environmental law. proposed by the European Union to the United Nations as a basis for the creation 17 Bündnis 90/ 94-103 replace In the longer run (for a next European of an International Environmental Court Die Grünen Greens Meeting), we commit to work on our (IEC) in charge of the most serious vision on a unification of international violations of international environmental environmental treaties in a binding normative law.
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