Prosecuting Environmental Harm as International Crimes, Webinar by the American Society of International Law (ASIL) [Online, 7 October 2026]

The American Society of International Law, based in Washington DC, is hosting this online panel as an ASIL Event on its events calendar. The panel starts from the view that international criminal law is the most under-used tool against environmental damage and climate harm. Serious environmental destruction is often treated as an unfortunate by-product of conflict or industrial activity when it may in fact amount to an international crime.

The discussion centres on the Manual on Prosecuting International Environmental Crimes, published in June 2026 and drafted by The Promise Institute for Human Rights at UCLA together with Climate Counsel. The Manual sets out, in practical terms, how environmental harm can be prosecuted under existing international criminal law:

• as a war crime in situations of armed conflict; and
• as a crime against humanity in peacetime.

The panel will look at how the Manual applies to serious environmental harm in both settings, using examples drawn from real situations.

• Moderator: Xuchen Zhang, Legal Advisor, The Promise Institute for Human Rights
• Donna Cline, International Criminal Lawyer
• Kate Mackintosh, Executive Director, The Promise Institute for Human Rights, UCLA
• Rosemary Mwanza, Lecturer, Kabarak University School of Law
• Richard Rogers, Executive Director, Climate Counsel

The webinar takes place on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, from 12:00 pm to 1:30 pm as listed on ASIL’s Washington DC events calendar (US Eastern Time). For participants in India, that is 9:30 pm to 11:00 pm IST on 7 October 2026. The event is held entirely online.

The listing does not limit attendance to ASIL members or to any jurisdiction, and the registration form accepts registrants from any country, including India. The session suits law students, researchers and practitioners interested in international criminal law, international environmental law and climate accountability.

ASIL lists the event at no cost (price USD 0). Registration is through ASIL’s online event registration portal, reached from the “Register” button on the event page. The portal asks registrants to confirm their identity and add basic contact details, including an address and email, before the registration is completed. Register before the session begins on 7 October 2026.