Environmental destruction and ecocide, as phenomena with widespread human and ecological consequences, are one of the main concerns of the scientific and legal communities worldwide. From the perspective of international criminal law, ecocide can be identified as the fifth international crime and, due to the severity and scope of the destruction, the long-term effects and the impact on global security, it is comparable to the crimes of genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression. The main question of the present study is how human actions cause the destruction of ecosystems and threaten the lives of present and future generations, and what is its connection to the violation of international criminal law? The aim of this study, relying on a qualitative research method based on a descriptive-analytical approach to examining existing legal frameworks, is to analyze the legal dimensions and challenges of the conceptual transformation process of environmental destruction into ecocide from the perspective of international criminal law and to explain the legal consequences. It then presents legal, political, and executive challenges in the criminalization of ecocide, as well as suggestions for amending international laws, strengthening the International Criminal Court, and utilizing new technologies. The present study does not have a research hypothesis. The results show that the criminalization of ecocide is not only a legal necessity, but also a moral and civilizational obligation and can guarantee environmental protection and intergenerational justice.