Protection of the environment through criminal law | Directive (EU) 2024/1203 of 11 April

The Directive establishing minimum rules to be observed by Member States in the definition of environmental crime (the “Environmental Crime Directive”) was published on 30 April 2024. It repeals Directive 2008/99/EC of 19 November and Directive 2009/123/EC of 21 October 1.

This Directive introduces new environmental crimes that must now be incorporated into national law.

It is therefore important to carry out a comparative analysis with Directive 2008/99/EC and, where appropriate, with the Portuguese provisions currently in force.