Changing the scope in the prioritization of the International Criminal Court: Environmental crimes

On September 15, 2016, the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court issued a document on prioritization and case selection of cases to investigate that had great media impact, mainly on groups that defend the environment. This impact was primarily based on paragraphs 40 and 41 of the document, which leaves an open door to investigate and prosecute environmental crimes in the context of the ICC. Despite the media impact, the doctrine has not elaborated the potentialities and limitations of this new tool. Under an analysis of the prioritization document, this paper seeks to contribute to this discussion, concluding that although this new policy does not mean that the Court’s competence is been modified, it is an important change of focus that can contribute to avoid the current impunity existent in such crimes.