New UN Resolution calls for civil liability

New UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice Resolution, “Preventing and combating crimes that affect the environment” calls for States to operatioanlise conservation litigation. As is often the case, the new text equates remedying the environment with habitat restoration, but it equally applies to actions that remedy harms to biodiversity.

Para 10. Calls upon States, consistent with the UNTOC and in accordance with national legislation, to take all appropriate measures within their means to provide effective assistance to and protection for witnesses and for victims of crimes that affect the environment, and to establish appropriate procedures to provide access to compensation and restitution for victims of the offences covered by the UNTOC, and, in this regard, encourages States to consider providing access to civil compensation and habitat restoration for damage caused to the environment and to victims;