Climate change and ecological destruction: A green criminological perspective

This contribution reflects on the 2026 Montesquieu lecture given by Elisa Morgera at Tilburg University. From a green criminological perspective, it argues that phasing out fossil fuels to curb climate change is a good start. However, we also need to take into account that greening the economy will not sufficiently reduce the ongoing problems of ecological destruction and pollution as long as growth remains a central goal. More radical steps may be necessary, such as rethinking how our economies and societies are currently functioning.