Scotland could become one of the first countries to establish a specific crime for mass environmental destruction as championed by late Scots barrister Polly Higgins.
I love the idea but wonder how it would be handled for things like oil spills in the international waters space. Those are more more often accidental versus the types of just bad practice things like forrest destruction or such. Take that along with the notion of it being in international space would make even deciding jurisdiction a mess.
Jurisdiction would be based on nationality of the business, just like it is now for other crimes. You can’t just commit a crime in international waters and go home scot-free.
I love the idea but wonder how it would be handled for things like oil spills in the international waters space. Those are more more often accidental versus the types of just bad practice things like forrest destruction or such. Take that along with the notion of it being in international space would make even deciding jurisdiction a mess.
Are they truly accidental? Or are they because of cutting corners on maintenance etc and then “just happen”
And is it really cutting corners? Or is it saving your life and family while your job/government ‘threatens’ to cut you off money and food?
(Rhetorical/Sarcasm)
Climb the ladder, find the cause, and grab it by the neck.
I think those responsible should be fined the same as you or I would be for dumping used motor oil down a storm drain.
By the quart.
Same way we would handle a vehicle accident that kills people, I assume.
Jurisdiction would be based on nationality of the business, just like it is now for other crimes. You can’t just commit a crime in international waters and go home scot-free.