'A vital opportunity': MSPs urged to back Ecocide Bill

Environmental damage could be outlawed in Scotland in a UK-first.

Labour MSP Monica Lennon will today introduce her Ecocide (Scotland) Bill, which would make it a criminal offence to cause series incidents of pollution. 

Those found to have caused widespread, long-term or irreversible harms could face up to 20 years imprisonment.

For companies found to have done the same, the punishment would be unlimited fines.

Pollution caused through neglect would be covered by the law.

Central Scotland MSP Lennon said there is a "strong foundation of cross-party and public support" for the measures.

An open letter backing the bill has been signed by more than 100 figures from politics, science, law and other fields, including journalist George Monbiot and Pertti Salolainen, the former deputy prime minister of Finland.

Lennon said: "With ecocide law, Scotland can take bold and necessary action against severe environmental damage.

"Environmental destruction isn't some distant issue for the people of Scotland, it directly threatens health, livelihoods, and the future of entire communities.

"From sewage spilling into waterways to toxic pollution left behind by heavy industry, the damage is real and ongoing.

"Ecocide is a crime against the common good, and those who commit widespread or irreversible harm should be held to account.

"This is a vital opportunity for Scotland to become the first UK nation to criminalise ecocide and signal that the destruction of nature won’t be tolerated here."

Scrutiny of the proposals is expected to begin before the summer recess, with a vote to be held later in the year.