The transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1203 on the protection of the environment through criminal law is due by 21 May 2026. In view of that, Eurojust has published a note, which was presented during Workshop 3 on environmental crime at the 66th EJN Plenary Meeting, held in Limassol, Cyprus, on 28–29 May 2026. The note aims to provide practitioners with a brief overview of the Directive, highlighting in particular the provisions with direct implications for international judicial cooperation in criminal proceedings concerning environmental offences, and to draw attention to the assistance that Eurojust can provide in light of the novelties introduced by the Directive. The publication is available on the Eurojust website.
The Directive significantly strengthens Member States’ capacity to combat environmental criminal offences and requires closer and more consistent cross-border cooperation. Its provisions concerning the definition of environmental criminal offences, penalties for natural and legal persons, jurisdiction and cooperation at national and EU level are expected to have direct positive implications for judicial cooperation in cross-border environmental crime cases. To further amplify outreach to practitioners, the Eurojust College has also agreed to have the note circulated via the National Desks and Liaison Prosecutors to the relevant national authorities.