A Fight for Survival: Why Nauru Wants Ecocide Recognized as an International Crime

By Victoria Stephen, American Broadcast Wire (International Press Committee)

For most countries, the debate over ecocide is a question of environmental law. For Nauru, it is a question of survival.

As delegates gathered in the United Nations Legal Committee (UN Legal) to debate Defining and Criminalizing Large-Scale Environmental Destruction as a Crime Under International Law, the delegate of Nauru made it clear that the discussion extends far beyond legal definitions. For small island states, rising sea levels and environmental degradation are already reshaping daily life.

The committee is considering whether ecocide, large-scale environmental destruction, should be recognized as the fifth international crime under the Rome Statute alongside genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.

Speaking with American Broadcast Wire, the delegate of Nauru said the proposal reflects the growing urgency of climate change and its human consequences.

“Climate change is gaining more traction now in the world, this is not just affecting the environment, but the lives of people. As the delegate of Nauru, it has affected the lives of our people. Most of our lands are uninhabitable. People can’t live there anymore. Countries are sinking.”

- the delegate said.

According to the delegate, discussions in the committee showed broad support for recognizing ecocide as a separate international crime. While not every delegation had delivered its position at the time of the interview, the delegate said those who had spoken largely supported establishing a distinct legal framework.

The delegate also pointed to ongoing collaboration among members of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), which is advancing proposals to amend Article 5 of the Rome Statute to include ecocide among the crimes prosecuted under international law.

“Small island states are losing their lands. Sea levels are rising. Nations are sinking, if action is not taken, there would no longer be Nauru, Vanuatu and other island countries.”

- the delegate further mentioned to American Broadcast Wire.

Although optimistic about the level of agreement within the committee, the delegate acknowledged that negotiations could become more challenging during resolution drafting.

“Not everyone experiences environmental degradation on the same level, when we begin drafting resolutions, we’ll see which countries truly align with what Nauru wants.”

Despite representing one of the world’s smallest nations, the delegate expressed confidence that Nauru’s voice could influence the outcome of the negotiations.

“You do not have to represent a large country to have relevance, although Nauru is the third smallest country in the world, we have a lot of power because we work with different alliances to move proposals in the United Nations.”

As deliberations continue, delegates will determine whether growing international concern over environmental destruction is enough to reshape international criminal law, or whether ecocide will remain outside the Rome Statute.