The environmental crime crisis: threats to sustainable development from illegal exploitation and trade in wildlife and forest resources
This report focuses on the consequences of environmental crime. It argues that the situation has worsened to the extent that illegal trade in wildlife’s impacts are now acknowledged to go well beyond strictly environmental impacts – by seriously undermining economies and livelihoods, good governance, and the rule of law. It also argues that wildlife and forest crime, including charcoal, provides potentially significant threat finance to militias and terrorist groups. The report argues that a fuller understanding of the phenomenon of illegal wildlife trade is necessary to design and further strengthen – and accelerate – an effective strategy to successfully tackle the issue at all levels and with all means possible. Also that a global and holistic response needs to be implemented to support national, regional and international efforts by strengthening and synchronizing actions targeting coherent environmental legislation, poverty alleviation and demand reduction.