A whole 71 percent of the Swedes surveyed support so-called ecocide (environmental murder). This involves criminalizing actions that have been approved or permitted by leaders and which cause widespread, long-term or irreversible environmental damage.
The survey was conducted in 18 G20 countries and four outside the group, with a total of 2,000 participants. Overall, 72 percent of those surveyed believe that it should be punishable to approve or permit measures that cause serious harm to nature and the climate.
Ecocide means large-scale environmental destruction that leads to extensive damage, destruction, or loss of ecosystems or habitats. The idea behind an ecocide law is to make it possible to hold those who are most responsible for decisions – for example, corporate leaders – accountable for major harm done to the environment with full knowledge.
About 76 percent of the Swedes surveyed are extremely, very, or fairly worried about the state of nature today and the state we will leave nature in for future generations. Among G20 countries, the figure is around 87 percent.
Ecocide was recognized as a crime in Belgium earlier this year. Similar laws have also been adopted in Chile and France, and bills on ecocide have been proposed in, among others, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Peru, and Scotland, according to the report.
2,000 people aged 18 to 55-75 in 22 countries responded to the survey. This included 18 G20 countries. Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the USA, and four countries outside the G20: Austria, Denmark, Kenya, and Sweden.
The survey was commissioned by Earth4All and Global Commons Alliance.
All interviews were conducted online and took place between March 5 and April 8, 2024.
