What changed

PR_NLE-AP_Agreement

P10_TA(2026)0256

Symbols for procedures

Protection of the environment through criminal law

* Consultation procedure

Committee on Legal Affairs

*** Consent procedure

PE786.991

***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading)

European Parliament legislative resolution of 8 July 2026 on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law on behalf of the European Union (05824/2026 – C10-0035/2026 – 2025/0244(NLE))

***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading)

***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading)

(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law

(05824/2026 – C100035/20026 – 2025/0244(NLE))

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the draft Council decision (05824/26),(05824/2026),

– having regard to the Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, signed in Luxembourg on 14 May 2025 (CM(2025)52),

2. Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and to the Council of Europe.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

On 11 May 2024 the European Parliament and the Council signed a new Directive (EU) 2024/1203 of the European Parliament and of the Council, replacing Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, which had been widely considered ineffective. To address shortcomings in the effectiveness of environmental criminal law, Directive (EU) 2024/1203 laid down minimum rules with regard to the definition of criminal offences and penalties in order to protect the environment more effectively, as well as measures in order to prevent and combat environmental crime.

Almost simultaneously with the EU procedure concerning Directive (EU) 2024/1203, the Council of Europe (CoE) began work on a revised Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law (‘new Convention’) to replace the one dating back to 1998 (‘old Convention’). The old Convention was a pioneering instrument which was the first international instrument containing definitions of the most serious environmental offences committed intentionally or with negligence, as well as provisions on jurisdiction, effective and dissuasive sanctions, confiscation measures, reinstatement of the environment, corporate liability, cooperation between the parties to that convention and international cooperation, and the rights for groups, foundations or associations which aim at the protection of the environment to participate in criminal proceedings in accordance with domestic law.

On 3 April 2023 the CoE set up the Committee of Experts on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law (PC-ENV). A draft of the new Convention was finalised on 9 October 2024. On 14 May 2025 the new Convention was adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the CoE and opened for signature on 3 December 2025.

The Commission participated in the negotiations on the basis of Council Decision (EU) 2023/2170 of 28 September 2023. Following successful conclusion of the negotiations, the Council adopted Council Decision (EU) 2025/2493 of 1 December 2025 on the signing, on behalf of the European Union, of the CoE Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law. Subsequently, pursuant to Article 218 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Council requested the consent of the European Parliament to the conclusion of the new Convention.

According to the Commission’s assessment, the new Convention establishes binding international standards for defining and criminalising serious environmental offences punishable by effective, proportionate and dissuasive sanctions. It also strengthens prevention measures and international cooperation to address environmental crime, including through cross-border investigations, information exchange and the collection of statistical data. Upon its entry into force, neighbouring countries will apply criminal law standards consistent with those of the EU, thereby, in effect, improving cooperation, investigations and accountability. For EU Member States, the new Convention is consistent with Directive (EU) 2024/1203, however they can go beyond the requirements of both that Directive and that Convention when implementing their provisions.

The Convention is expected to enter into force upon ten ratifications, including at least eight ratifications by member States of CoE. Alongside CoE member States, the new Convention is open for signature by non-member States that have participated in its elaboration and the EU.

In light of the above considerations, the Rapporteur fully recommends that the Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the new Convention.

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not include in his report input from interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies, to be listed in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title

Conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Council of Europe Convention on the protection of the environment through criminal law

References

05824/2026 – C10-0035/2026 – 2025/0244(NLE)

Date of consultation or request for consent

18.2.2026

Committee(s) responsible

Date announced in plenary

JURI

12.3.2026

Committees asked for opinions

Date announced in plenary

ENVI

12.3.2026

LIBE

12.3.2026

Not delivering opinions

Date of decision

ENVI

17.3.2026

LIBE

26.2.2026

Rapporteurs

Date appointed

Ilhan Kyuchyuk

7.4.2026

Discussed in committee

4.5.2026

Date adopted

3.6.2026

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

20

2

0

Date tabled

12.6.2026

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

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