The era of climate impunity is ending

Five Major States Found in Breach of International Law — Indictment and Arrest Warrant for Jair Bolsonaro

“When it comes to the right of the citizens of the world to a safe, clean and sustainable environment, that law is established.”

— Stephen Rapp, Presiding Judge

“We now have indications that despite the pledges made, global temperatures have reached approximately 1.44 degrees. We are almost there. The clock is ticking — time to act has almost run out.”

— Stephen Rapp, Presiding Judge

“Each of the five Respondent States has failed to adopt and implement comprehensive domestic measures to rapidly reduce GHG emissions in line with the 1.5 degree limit.”

— Judicial Panel, Ecocide Tribunal

“Here we are in 2026, seeing emissions rising, some of the most powerful people in the world publicly declaring the end of scientific agreements.”

— Luisa Neubauer, co-Founder of the Fridays for Future movement

“We want to see Bolsonaro pay for the atrocities committed. Today many activists are still being killed.”

— Angela Mendes, Indigenous leader

“China is the largest global emitter of greenhouse gases. There is no clear plan to phase out fossil fuels. The next four or five years are crucial.”

— Jan Burck, Climate Policy Expert

Berlin, 19 February 2026 — The Court of the Citizens of the World’s Ecocide Tribunal has delivered a historic judgment addressing state responsibility for climate breakdown and individual criminal responsibility for environmental destruction.

After days of testimony from climate scientists, Indigenous leaders, legal experts, and human rights advocates, the Tribunal issued unanimous findings in both its civil and criminal proceedings.

I. CIVIL JUDGMENT: FIVE STATES FOUND IN BREACH

The Tribunal found that the:

• United States of America

• Russian Federation

• Argentine Republic

• Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• People’s Republic of China

are in breach of international climate obligations as identified by the International Court of Justice in its Advisory Opinion.

The Court concluded that the Respondent States have:

• Failed to align emissions reductions with the 1.5°C limit

• Failed to regulate greenhouse gas emissions of public and private entities

• Failed to cooperate internationally through finance and technology transfer

• Failed to ensure transparency and accountability

• Failed to prevent foreseeable transboundary and intergenerational harm

The Tribunal ordered:

• Strengthened emissions targets

• A halt to new fossil fuel projects inconsistent with 1.5°C

• Revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)

• Increased climate finance

• Robust monitoring, reporting, and verification systems

It further declared that continued non-compliance may result in reparations claims by affected States.

The civil ruling was unanimous.

II. CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS: INDICTMENT CONFIRMED AGAINST Jair Bolsonaro

Sitting as a Pre-Trial Chamber, the Tribunal confirmed substantial grounds to believe that Jair Bolsonaro, former President of Brazil (2019–2023), committed Crimes Against Humanity. While the evolving crime of ecocide was discussed, it was formally withdrawn due to the current state of international criminal law.

The Court confirmed two counts under Article 7 of the Rome Statute:

1. Persecution

Systematic persecution of Indigenous and traditional communities, including the Yanomami and residents of the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve, through deprivation of fundamental rights to land, health, culture, food, and security.

2. Other Inhumane Acts

Deliberate or reckless environmental destruction, mercury contamination, illegal mining, deforestation, and collapse of subsistence systems, causing severe suffering and serious injury.

The Panel unanimously concluded that these acts formed part of a systematic attack against a civilian population and were carried out with knowledge and state policy involvement.

The judges declared that Bolsonaro should be brought before a competent court and found justification for the issuance of an international arrest warrant.

A DEFINING MOMENT FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE

The Tribunal emphasized:

• There is currently no standalone international crime of ecocide, but amendment of the Rome Statute is urgently needed.

• Climate destruction undermines fundamental human rights, including the right to life and to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.

• Environmental devastation can amount to crimes against humanity when committed as part of systematic state policy.

THE MESSAGE FROM BERLIN

The Ecocide Tribunal demonstrates that where formal institutions hesitate, citizens will convene to clarify the law and demand accountability.

This decision signals:

• The era of climate impunity is ending.

• Indigenous communities stand at the center of environmental justice.

• Legal accountability for planetary harm is no longer theoretical — it is an emerging reality.

THE JUDICIAL PANEL

The Tribunal was presided over by an eminent international Judicial Panel:

• Stephen Rapp — Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice and chief prosecutor at UN tribunals for Sierra Leone and Rwanda

• Bhavani Fonseka — Attorney-at-Law, Supreme Court of Sri Lanka

• Kevin Bell — Judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria

• Göran Lambertz — Former Chancellor of Justice of Sweden

• Milena Sterio — Expert in International Criminal Law

The Panel sat unanimously in both the civil and criminal determinations.