Introduction

What distinguishes critical criminology from mainstream criminology is its concern with structures of power. These are seen to be institutionalised in particular ways, and to reflect social interests that oppress specific categories of people. In other words, critical criminology is premised on the idea that the present operation of the criminal justice system is unfair and biased, and operates in ways that advantage certain groups or classes above others (McLaughlin, 2010). Given policy and practice developments in regard to climate change, it is unsurprising that Climate Change Criminology shares several essential concerns with critical criminology more generally.

The focus of analysis for critical criminology is both the crimes of the powerful and the crimes of the less powerful. In examining the crimes of the powerful, attention is directed at issues relating to ideology (especially, the nature of ‘law-and-order’ politics, which focuses primarily on street crimes), political economy (the social impacts of privatisation and market forces), and the state (dictatorial and top-down rather than democratic modes of rule, and criminal actions by the state itself). The structural context of crime in relation to capitalist development and institutional pressures is viewed as central to any explanation of crimes of the powerful (Russell, 2002). For the powerful, there are pressures associated with the securing and maintenance of state power and specific sectional interests in the global context of international trade and transnational corporate monopolisation (Coleman et al, 2009).

This chapter asks the question, ‘Who is responsible for climate change?’ In answering this, it frames the issues in terms of crimes of the powerful (especially corporate and state crime). Systemic destruction of the environment is discussed in terms of global capitalism. The agents of this destruction are particular transnational corporations. The chapter raises the issue of responsibility and accountability, arguing that specific perpetrators can be identified and should be considered ‘criminal’ in the light of their acts and omissions.

Capitalism and the growth imperative

The systemic pressures associated with the global capitalist mode of production inevitably lead to the exploitation of humans, eco-systems and species, and the degradation of the environment via pollution and waste, as well as global warming and climate change. The problem is the dominant political economic system.