Monica Lennon MSP has introduced this Member’s Bill. It will introduce a new criminal offence of ecocide.
This is a Member's bill
The Bill was introduced on 29 May 2025 and is at Stage 1
This Bill is at Stage 1 of the process to decide if it should become an Act.
Ecocide is defined in the Bill as causing severe environmental harm in such a way that is either reckless or intentional. For this Bill, “Severe”, means environmental harm that has serious adverse effects, and is either “widespread” or “long-term”.
This Bill will allow for people and organisations to be convicted of ecocide. When someone acting as an employee commits ecocide, that person’s employer may also be convicted of the offence.
However, they can avoid conviction if:
Any individual convicted of ecocide could be jailed for up to twenty years and fined. Any organisation convicted of ecocide is liable to receive a fine.
Courts must take into account any financial benefit arising from the offence when deciding what level of fines to apply. Courts may also require compensation to be paid for any personal injury loss or damage caused by the offence. The costs of repairing or mitigating the effects of any harm to the environment resulting from the offence would also need to be paid.
In addition, the courts may also make a publicity order where a person is convicted of ecocide. This means that the details of the offence would be advertised.
Ministers will need to submit a report to Parliament after five years on the operation of the Bill
Monica Lennon MSP believes that causing severe environmental damage should be treated as a serious criminal offence. She feels that courts are not able to impose severe enough penalties when an individual or organisation causes this level of damage.
Making ecocide a criminal offence would ensure that courts are able to impose appropriate penalties.
Ms Lennon believes that introducing this criminal offence would reduce the likelihood of future incidents that cause serious environmental harm. This would protect Scotland’s population, wildlife and eco-system.
Ecocide (Scotland) Bill as introduced (498KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Explanatory Notes (199KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Policy Memorandum (304KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Financial Memorandum (248KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (123KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Statements on legislative competence (110KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Explanatory Notes (285KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Policy Memorandum (339KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Financial Memorandum (298KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Delegated Powers Memorandum (208KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
Statements on legislative competence (159KB, pdf) posted 29 May 2025
All Bills introduced in the Parliament must be accompanied by specific documents. For most Bills, this includes:
Explanatory Notes: this document provides an overview of what the Bill does, plus a more detailed explanation of individual provisions.
Policy Memorandum: this sets out the objectives of the Bill. It also lists any alternatives considered, details of consultations, and an assessment of the effects of the Bill on a range of areas.
Financial Memorandum: this sets out estimates of costs, savings, and any changes to revenues expected to result from the Bill.
Delegated Powers Memorandum: this is needed if a Bill gives powers to make subordinate legislation or allows Scottish Ministers to issue directions, guidance or codes of practice.
Statements on legislative competence: two short statements, one by the Presiding Officer and one by the Member introducing the Bill. “Legislative competence” means the powers the Parliament has to make law.
The Scottish Parliament's Information Centre (SPICe) prepares impartial research and analysis to assist MSPs in their examination of Bills and other parliamentary business.
A research briefing will be published in due course.
The Bill was introduced on 29 May 2025
At Stage 1, the Bill is given to a lead committee. This is usually the committee whose remit most closely relates to the subject of the Bill. The lead committee will consider and report on the Bill. Other committees may also examine the Bill and report to the lead committee. Finally, there is a debate and vote by all MSPs on the general principles of the Bill. If the general principles are not agreed to, then the Bill ‘falls’ and can’t become law.
The lead committee for this Bill is the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.
The lead committee will usually examine the Bill through evidence sessions. This will involve contributions from individuals and organisations, known as 'witnesses', with knowledge of the subject matter. The committee might also discuss the Bill in private sessions.