INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CRIMES: EXAMINING THE ONTOLOGY, TYPOLOGY AND ECOLOGY*

Abstract

Wars within the international community have spawned severe destruction to the environment throughout human history. The last few years have witnessed how the environment has been targeted and harmed severally. The motivation for this study was the deployment of technological sophistication during armed conflict which targets the natural environment with no attention and remedy for the fragility, and destruction of the natural habitat. The aim was to see how the Rome Statute of international criminal law, its rules, and institutions can protect the environment. In line with this, the study investigated how the application of international criminal law at present has effectively ensured environmental protection and reduced or stopped the worst kind of environmental degradation in the international community. The study went further to make critical assessment of the ontology, typology, and ecology of international environmental crimes and the linkage with the Rome Statute. It equally surveyed whether the extension of the scope of international criminal sanction to cover intentional destruction of the environment during armed conflict has cured perceived inaction of the international community. Some of the advantages and disadvantages of international criminal law have been examined with respect to providing a moral mandate for environmental protection both during armed conflict and in times of peace.