Germany’s Cabinet on Wednesday approved draft legislation to tighten environmental protections, raising penalties for severe damage and giving authorities broader powers to investigate serious eco-crimes.

The bill would introduce a minimum prison term of one year for offenders who intentionally cause “catastrophic” environmental consequences, such as a major oil spill.

It would also raise penalties for the illegal disposal of toxic waste and for radiation-related offenses when they are committed by organized crime groups or for profit. Proposed prison terms would generally range from six months to 10 years.

Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig described environmental crime as “a huge business,” stressing that organized criminal groups earn billions worldwide through illegal dumping and similar offenses.

“Sewage sludge in the forest, chemicals in the river, waste oil in the soil — environmental crimes leave behind destruction and threaten people and nature,” she said. “That is why we are strengthening the rule of law in the fight against environmental crimes.”

Environment Minister Carsten Schneider said environmental crime “is not a trivial offense,” listing examples ranging from toxic chemicals from drug labs dumped in forests to illegal exports of waste.

“While some perpetrators enrich themselves criminally, we all pay the price,” Schneider said. “The victims are human health, nature, the vast majority of honest businesses, and, last but not least, taxpayers. Because in most cases, the state foots the bill for the damage.”

In especially serious cases, the draft would allow authorities to use covert investigative measures, including telecommunications surveillance – a tool the government says would help dismantle organized networks.

The legislation is intended to align German law with a new EU directive on criminal-law protection of the environment. Lawmakers are expected to debate the proposal in parliament in the coming weeks. It must pass a vote before it can take effect.