# Designer-Supported Eco Petitions Vivienne Westwood Advocates Aloud for a New European Ecocide Law By Alyson Wyers | Published 2014-01-21 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/european-ecocide-law References: [psfk](http://www.psfk.com/2014/01/vivienne-westwood-ecocide-law.html) & [ec.europa.eu](http://ec.europa.eu/citizens-initiative/public/initiatives/ongoing/details/2013/000002) Famed [fashion designer Vivienne Westwood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vivienne-westwood-and-palace) is just one of tens of thousands supporting the petition for a new European ecocide law. The petition, which will close on January 21, 2014, is seeking to make harming the environment a punishable crime in the [European Union](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-dirty-protest). Westwood spoke out publicly in an attempt to sway more people to sign 'End Ecocide in Europe: A Citizens' Initiative to Give the Earth Rights,' which has around 100,000 signatures thus far. The petition requires 1 million to result in a formal debate. The proposed European ecocide law would hold businesses and individuals criminally responsible for extensive damage to or loss of ecosystems. This would include oil spills and illegal waste disposal. Westwood notes legal change is necessary because many enterprises simply built the payment of fines into their business model. **Implications** - The [retail and fashion industry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kzk-studio) has often come under fire for not meeting environmental and humanitarian responsibilities. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.4/10 - Popularity: 57% | Activity: 96% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **European Ecocide Law:** The push for a new European ecocide law presents opportunities for businesses and individuals to innovate and develop sustainable practices, products, and services. - **Environmental Responsibility:** The demand for businesses to become more environmentally responsible creates opportunities for the development of eco-friendly products, services, and technologies. - **Corporate Accountability:** The call for holding businesses accountable for environmental damage opens up opportunities for companies to develop transparent and sustainable practices. ### Who This Affects Most - **Retail and Fashion:** The retail and fashion industry can seize the opportunity to adopt sustainable practices, reduce waste, and create eco-friendly products. - **Technology and Innovation:** The technology and innovation sector can contribute to the development of new solutions, technologies, and systems that promote environmental sustainability. - **Energy and Waste Management:** The energy and waste management industry can leverage the demand for more responsible practices to offer sustainable solutions for waste disposal and energy production. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Sustainable Denim Brand Collabs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amber-valletta-x-triarchy.md) - [Forest-Friendly Fashion Partnerships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forestfriendly-fashion.md) - [Botanically Inspired Fashion Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burberry-x-highgrove.md) - [Ocean Purity Petitons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-dirty-protest.md) - [Eco-Friendly Indian Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/latin-quarters.md) - [Whimsical Ethically Made Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iclothing.md) - [Tree-Planting T-Shirt Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/treedom.md) - [Sustainable Dog Clothes Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pet-passion.md) - [Eco-Friendly Luxury Dresses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/luxury-dresses.md)