International criminal activities expand to encompass the globe

International criminal activities expand to encompass the globe

In recent years, the world has witnessed a significant increase in efforts to combat transnational environmental crime, with key global organizations leading the charge. The United Nations (UN) and its Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) have taken the helm in this fight, establishing an open-ended intergovernmental expert group under the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC). This group is tasked with examining the gaps in the current international legal framework and exploring the feasibility of additional protocols specifically targeting environmental crimes[1][2][4].

The UNODC's efforts align with broader mandates to strengthen international cooperation, facilitate information sharing, and provide technical support to countries affected by environmental crime. Collaborative operations coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO), alongside NGOs and governmental partners, have yielded tangible successes, such as in dismantling pangolin trafficking networks that tie into larger transnational organized crime activities like drug trafficking and money laundering[3].

The role of major international organizations and groups like the G20 and BRICS is crucial in this fight. The UN acts as the central hub for norm-setting, treaty development, and coordinating legal and policy responses at the global level. UN-led resolutions and expert groups shape the international agenda on environmental crime and push for strengthened, harmonized frameworks and enforcement mechanisms[1][2].

The G20, as a forum of major economies, has a strategic role in mobilizing political will, coordinating policy responses, and providing resources to tackle transnational environmental crimes. While specific G20 initiatives on this topic are less detailed in the current documents, the G20’s influence in shaping global economic and environmental policies means it can drive action on environmental crime through its members' national policies and international aid programs.

The BRICS group (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), representing large emerging economies often affected by environmental crime both as source and demand countries, plays a critical part by fostering regional cooperation and sharing intelligence and best practices. Their combined weight and increasing emphasis on sustainable development provide a platform to address illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, and pollution crimes collaboratively.

These international efforts are characterized by legal and policy coordination through UN conventions and expert groups offering frameworks to update global agreements on environmental crimes. Operational cooperation involving law enforcement, customs, and specialized NGOs aims to disrupt criminal networks across borders. Political and economic engagement by groups like the G20 and BRICS align national actions and resources with global priorities.

In summary, these international efforts are a multi-level, multi-stakeholder approach that reflects the complexity and transboundary nature of environmental crime and underscores the necessity of continuous international collaboration, political pressure, and resource allocation to effectively combat these evolving threats[1][2][3].

The G20 has taken modest steps toward integrating environmental crime into its broader economic and financial stability agenda, agreeing on a set of principles on combating corruption related to illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products in 2017. As these efforts continue to evolve, it is clear that international cooperation will play a vital role in protecting our planet and preserving biodiversity for future generations.

1. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime's (UNODC) mission converges with the mandate to bolster international collaboration, promote information exchange, and supply technical assistance to countries grappling with environmental crimes.
2. The UNODC's collaborative initiatives, such as disrupting pangolin trafficking networks, have contributed to the dismantling of larger transnational organized crime operations, including drug trafficking and money laundering.
3. The United Nations (UN) and its conventions serve as the global standard-setter, driving treaty development and coordinating legal and policy responses to environmental crimes.
4. The G20, as a coalition of major economies, is instrumental in rallying political commitment, crafting policy responses, and allocating resources to combat transnational environmental crimes.
5. The BRICS group, comprising large emerging economies susceptible to environmental crimes as both source and recipient nations, fosters regional cooperation, exchanging intelligence, and sharing best practices to counter illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, and pollution crimes.
6. Science, particularly environmental science, will continue to play a crucial role in identifying and mitigating the impact of environmental crimes, such as climate change, deforestation, and threat to biodiversity.
7. Finance and investing, particularly within the business and political sectors, offer avenues for funding and resources to effectively implement strategies and initiatives to combat environmental crime and secure our planet's future and biodiversity.

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