Holyrood committee warns there may not be enough time to pass ecocide law

A Holyrood committee has said it would “not be responsible” to recommend legislation punishing ecocide be allowed to continue through parliament.

The Bill, proposed by Labour MSP Monica Lennon, would create a standalone offence of ecocide, which would introduce strict duties on company executives and the Government to protect the natural environment.

While it has garnered the support of the Scottish Government, the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee said there was not enough time to scrutinise the Bill fully before the next election.

“The committee commends member in charge Monica Lennon MSP for her work on this Bill, which has launched an important discussion about how we deal with ecocide,” said convener Edward Mountain.

“We agree with the principle of having stronger criminal penalties for severe environmental damage.

“However, the concerns raised during our scrutiny must be fully explored and this would require detailed consultation with prosecutors, regulators and expert stakeholders.

“Realistically, we do not believe there is any prospect of the issues being addressed comprehensively within the time we have remaining during this parliamentary session.

“As a result, it would not be responsible for us to recommend that the Bill proceeds further at this stage.”

Responding to the report, Ms Lennon thanked the committee, saying that work on stage two amendments were already “well-advanced”, adding: “With significant Scottish Government support and a clear appetite for change across Scotland, there is an unmissable window of opportunity to refine the Bill and deliver these vital protections now.

“I thank Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin and her officials for the work they have been doing to help strengthen the Bill.

“I’m prepared to work around the clock to make sure Scotland is protected from the devastation that ecocide can cause.

“We cannot afford to kick the protection of our ecosystems into the long grass of an uncertain new parliamentary session.

“From the threat of oil spills to industrial over-fishing, the risks to our wildlife and communities are immediate.

“I am committed to working at pace with the Scottish Government, regulators and legal experts to address the committee’s technical queries.

“We have the expertise, we have the public support and we have the duty to act. It is time to ensure that Scotland is protected from the grave harm of ecocide crimes.”