Transnational Environmental Crimes: Assessing Global Enforcement Mechanisms And Legal Frameworks For Combating Illegal Wildlife Trade, Deforestation, And Hazardous Waste Trafficking
- IJLLR Journal
- Apr 9
- 2 min read
Nikitha Kotteswaran, SRM University
ABSTRACT
Environmental crimes, which include wildlife trafficking, illegal logging and trade in hazardous wastes, are major threats to biodiversity, the ecosystem, and human health around the world. This report evaluates the international law provisions, implementation processes, criminal patterns, and endemic issues in the effort to fight these criminal acts. Major tools such as Convention on international trade in endangered species (CITES), Basel convention and voluntary forest governance systems are regulatory pillars, but lapses in enforcement give room to the successful operation of criminal networks. Enforcement is based on international collaboration with the help of the INTERPOL and regional networks, judicial support with the help of mutual legal assistance treaties, and financial investigations under the guidance of the anti-money laundering practices. Trend analysis indicates that there is a decrease but adaptive trafficking of wildlife species such as the elephants and rhinos, continued deforestation of about 10 million hectares each year, and changes in the movement of hazardous waste towards developing countries. The greatest obstacles are the problem of jurisdiction, resource limitation, corruption, and technological differences which are interfering with effective responses. In spite of the successes in seizures and dedicated units, the prosecution levels are low and there are differences between jurisdictions. The report indicates the necessity of the harmonized law, capacity building, anti-corruption, and innovative technologies to reinforce the enforcement throughout the world. Suggestions include legal changes, funding, regional partnerships, and adoption of new technology such as AI to do surveillance. Finally, it is crucial to note that these crimes need a complex solution consisting of regulatory, institutional, and technological innovations to protect the integrity of the environment and sustainable development.
Keywords: Environmental crimes, wildlife trafficking, illegal logging, hazardous waste trade, CITES, Basel Convention, INTERPOL, enforcement mechanisms, jurisdictional challenges, corruption, capacity building, REDD+, forest governance, asset recovery, crime patterns.
