The issue of climate change has emerged as a global crisis, affecting millions of lives and economies worldwide. The call to criminalize ecocide, or the deliberate destruction of the environment, has gained traction, with several countries pushing for its recognition as an international crime. In 2025, this global momentum has seen nations like Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa formally request the inclusion of ecocide in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
This push reflects growing concerns over severe environmental harm, with climate change exacerbating disasters such as floods, droughts, and hurricanes. As one of the countries most affected by climate change, Pakistan has a significant stake in this movement.
But could Pakistan, with its existing environmental vulnerabilities, join the global push to criminalize ecocide?
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Pakistan’s Vulnerability to Climate Change
Pakistan is among the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. It ranks at the top of the 2025 Global Climate Risk Index compiled by Germanwatch (a think tank focusing on climate impacts and adaptation). The country faces a range of climate-induced disasters, including catastrophic floods, heatwaves, and droughts, all of which threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions. In 2025 alone, Pakistan experienced severe floods due to unusually heavy pre-monsoon rains, which left over 1,000 people dead and impacted more than 4 million people.
This underscores Pakistan’s urgent need to take robust action against the forces contributing to environmental harm. Climate change exacerbates vulnerability, particularly in the country’s rural areas, which depend heavily on agriculture and natural resources. These persistent climate events are reminders of the importance of adopting legal frameworks that address the root causes of environmental degradation.
The Legal Framework and Emerging Climate Laws in Pakistan
Pakistan has made strides in addressing environmental issues, though its legal framework remains fragmented. The National Climate Change Policy (NCCP) provides a comprehensive framework for climate change adaptation and mitigation. It focuses on water management, disaster preparedness, and increasing resilience to climate-related events. However, while the policy is a step in the right direction, it has often been criticized for lacking strong enforcement mechanisms and insufficient implementation across the country’s provinces.
Additionally, Pakistan has seen a rise in climate-related litigation, with cases like Ali v. Federation of Pakistan highlighting the public’s increasing demand for accountability. In this particular case, citizens argued that government policies enabling coal mining contributed to climate change and violated their right to a safe and healthy environment. This legal development signals an increasing willingness to engage in environmental justice, but the question remains whether the country’s legal systems can handle the complexities of addressing ecocide, which often involves larger, transnational actors.
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International Support for Criminalizing Ecocide
International support for criminalizing ecocide has grown significantly in recent years, with calls from environmental organizations and smaller island nations, which are among the first to experience the devastating impacts of climate change. The proposal to include ecocide as a crime under the Rome Statute of the ICC gained further momentum when countries like Vanuatu, Fiji, and Samoa presented their case to the United Nations. They argue that international law must evolve to hold individuals and entities accountable for catastrophic environmental harm, particularly when this damage threatens the very survival of vulnerable populations.
The ICC’s role in addressing crimes like genocide and war crimes has set a precedent for international accountability, and environmental justice advocates now seek to extend this framework to ecocide. Some environmental legal experts argue that the deliberate destruction of ecosystems or failure to prevent such damage should be treated as a criminal act. While the legal community remains divided over the precise definition and scope of ecocide, the growing momentum for its recognition demonstrates the international community’s recognition of the urgent need to safeguard the planet’s health.
Pakistan’s Potential Role in the Global Ecocide Movement
Joining the global movement to criminalize ecocide would offer several benefits to us. First, it would provide a powerful tool for holding multinational corporations and other actors accountable for environmental harm, which is a concern given the rise of large-scale industrial projects and energy extraction ventures in the country. Additionally, Pakistan’s participation could help raise global awareness of the devastating impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, which could, in turn, lead to more international support and funding for adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Furthermore, by becoming a signatory to ecocide legislation, Pakistan could strengthen its domestic environmental laws. The legal framework for prosecuting environmental crimes would align the country with international standards, providing clearer avenues for the prosecution of those responsible for environmental destruction. It could also pave the way for more robust disaster preparedness mechanisms, ensuring that Pakistan is better equipped to handle climate-induced crises.
However, Pakistan faces significant challenges in implementing this new legal framework. One primary concern is the potential infringement on national sovereignty. Pakistan may be reluctant to allow external international bodies like the ICC to intervene in its domestic environmental governance. Additionally, the lack of institutional capacity for enforcing climate laws remains a hurdle. Pakistan’s environmental protection agencies, such as the Ministry of Climate Change, require more resources and training to effectively combat the growing environmental crisis.
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The Path Forward for Pakistan
To effectively contribute to the global push for criminalizing ecocide, Pakistan must begin by strengthening its legal and institutional frameworks. This includes introducing more robust environmental protection laws at the national level and establishing a clear legal definition of ecocide within the country’s context. Collaboration with international bodies like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other climate-focused institutions can help ensure that Pakistan’s legal systems align with international norms.
Additionally, Pakistan must invest in training legal professionals, environmental scientists, and other relevant stakeholders to equip them with the knowledge necessary to tackle the complex issues surrounding ecocide.
Conclusion
Pakistan’s involvement in the international push to criminalize ecocide is not only a matter of global environmental justice, but it also aligns with the country’s long-term climate goals. As a nation that faces extreme vulnerabilities due to climate change, Pakistan has much to gain from participating in the global effort to hold those responsible for environmental degradation accountable. By aligning itself with this movement, Pakistan can strengthen its environmental laws, safeguard its natural resources, and ensure a more resilient future for its citizens. In 2025, as the international community advances toward stronger climate laws, Pakistan’s active participation could prove to be a critical step in protecting both its environment and its people.
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