Statement of the ICC Office of the Prosecutor on the Implementation of its Policy on Addressing Environmental Damage through the Rome Statute

The Office of the Prosecutor launched its Policy on Addressing Environmental Damage through the Rome Statute during the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court in December 2025.

The Office has since moved into the implementation phase of the Policy as a matter of priority, integrating environmental considerations across all relevant phases of its work. Today the Office held an event to discuss in particular numerous communications concerning alleged Rome Statute crimes with an environmental dimension, received by the Office. Each is carefully assessed in accordance with its mandate and applicable procedures. Discussions today also included the integration of environmental considerations into investigations and case building, including where environmental damage may be relevant to understanding the nature, gravity or impact of alleged crimes. Such impacts include the harm done to Indigenous Peoples, women, and children, as well as other vulnerable groups. The Office recognises the important work done in this regard by human rights agencies and groups, and strides made by humanitarian law.

Opportunities for positive complementarity have already emerged, and the Office is actively pursuing cooperation with national law enforcement authorities and other relevant stakeholders to support efforts to prevent and address Rome Statute crimes with an environmental dimension. The Office is developing a network of environmental law enforcement authorities, relevant organisations, expert groups and civil society organisations to strengthen cooperation and the exchange of expertise and information, and to support investigations, analysis and complementarity.

Much of this work is necessarily confidential. Its impact will therefore not always be immediately visible publicly. However, the Office is already taking concrete steps to translate the Policy from a framework into operational practice, with the aim of ensuring that where environmental damage is relevant to Rome Statute crimes, it is recognised, investigated and addressed appropriately within the Office’s mandate.

More information

The Policy is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Find the full policy here: Policy on Addressing Environmental Damage Through the Rome Statute  

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