Environmental crime undermines conservation efforts, sustainable development and the responsible management of natural resources.
The Issue
Environmental crime has become a lucrative avenue for transnational organized crime. From wildlife trafficking and illegal logging to illegal mining, pollution crime and fisheries-related crime, criminal networks exploit natural resources for profit, often operating across multiple countries and continents.
These crimes are frequently linked to corruption, fraud, money laundering and other serious offences, enabling criminal networks to expand their reach and strengthen their operations. Tackling environmental crime is therefore not only about protecting natural resources, but also about disrupting the criminal networks that threaten security, governance and the rule of law worldwide.
