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Proportional response to criminal offences against the environment

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Parent Category: 2026

Category: Content №4 2026

Created on 24 August 2026

Last Updated on 24 August 2026

Published on 30 November -0001

Written by L. Yu. Timofieieva, N. A. Savinova, M. I. Khavroniuk

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Authors:

L. Yu. Timofieieva*, orcid.org/0000-0002-6968-6587, National University “Odesa Law Academy”, Odesa, Ukraine, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

N. A. Savinova, orcid.org/0000-0003-0289-7926, National University “Odesa Maritime Academy”, Odesa, Ukraine, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

M. I. Khavroniuk, orcid.org/0000-0002-1304-9298, National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Kyiv, Ukraine, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

* Corresponding author e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

повний текст / full article

Naukovyi Visnyk Natsionalnoho Hirnychoho Universytetu. 2026, (4): 120 - 129

https://doi.org/10.33271/nvngu/2026-4/120

Abstract:

Purpose. To create a mechanism for a proportionate response to environmental crimes and to improve criminal legislation in the context of European Union and international standards.

Methodology. Among the methods employed, dogmatic, dialectical method, analysis and generalization, methods of formal logic, comparison, synthesis, the method of system-structural analysis, and the case study method were used.

Findings. The acts required for criminalization, which are aimed at environmental protection by criminal law means in accordance with the new European Union Directive 2024/1203, were analyzed and correlated with the relevant provisions of the current Criminal Code of Ukraine. The absence of norms that would allow the application of criminal law measures against legal entities for committing environmental crimes was revealed.

Originality. For the first time, an original mechanism for a proportionate response to environmental crimes has been proposed, which includes the following components: the establishment of criminal liability for specific individuals who have violated the relevant legislation, the application of criminal law measures against legal entities, compensation for damage, environmental restoration. It is argued that a proportional response to environmental crimes should take into account the needs of all subjects of criminal law relations – the offender, the state, the victim and society as a whole. This authors’ approach is reflected in the formulation of proposals for optimizing criminal legislation in accordance with European standards. The idea of considering the right to a safe environment as a fundamental human right is developed. It is proposed to involve public organizations as victims in environmental cases. The necessity of responding to the behavior of legal entities in the context of environmental offenses is substantiated. The high probability of the presence of a corruption component in such cases is argued.

Practical value. The results of the study will contribute to the improvement of criminal legislation and the practice of its application. Amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine are proposed regarding the application of criminal measures against legal entities in the environmental cases, as well as the expansion of the list of corruption criminal offenses.

Keywords: safe environment, Eurointegration, proportionality, victim, compensation, environmental restoration, criminal liability

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