Environmental crime is increasing rapidly
Environmental crimes have a devastating impact - and continue to rise: Last year, they cost the global economy up to $258 billion, according to a UN report. That's 26% more than the year before.
The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) estimates that global environmental crime was worth between $91 billion and $258 billion in 2015 - 26% higher than estimates the year before.
The UNEP report attributes the increase to weak legislation and underfunded security forces. This allows international crime networks and armed rebels to profit from a trade that intensifies conflicts, destroys ecosystems, and wipes out species.
Environmental crime has literally exploded in recent decades and is now the fourth largest crime sector worldwide, after drug trafficking, counterfeiting and human trafficking. Growth exceeds that of the economy by a factor of two to three.
While the focus used to be on illegal trade in animals and animal products such as ivory, the criminals' portfolio has diversified to include trade in waste, chemicals, ozone-depleting substances, illegally caught marine animals, timber, and conflict minerals such as gold and diamonds.
The effects of these crimes are greater than those of "ordinary" crime. They have lasting effects on the environment that can last for generations to come: Deforestation, illegal dumping of chemicals, and overfishing destroy entire ecosystems, pollute water and air, alter the weather, impact food security, and affect human and wildlife health.
Environmental crimes are also considered a major threat to global security, as they are increasingly associated with armed groups and terrorists.
UNEP is now teaming up with Interpol to fight this type of crime in a more focused way. The two organizations are calling on governments to strengthen laws, increase international cooperation in combating environmental crime, release additional financial resources for this purpose and increase public education.
