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Transnational organized environmental crime – involving illegal logging and deforestation,
wildlife crime such as poaching of elephants, tigers and rhinos, illegal fisheries, dumping of toxic
waste and illegal mining – robs mainly developing countries of an estimated 90-210 billion USD
every year – or 1-2 times global Official Development Assistance (ODA). It also threatens state
security by increasing corruption, spreading into other crimes, such as arms and drug smuggling
and human trafficking. Programme started in 2012.
Extensive global media coverage and awareness
Change in national and international biofuel policies
and awareness of the involvement of transboundary
organized crime and loss of revenues associated with
illegal logging
Prompted INTERPOL, police and military operations
to halt illegal logging in protected areas in several
countries, as well as focus from UN REDD, UNODC
and INTERPOL to combat organized forest crime
behind deforestation
Helped generate momentum and awareness
for CITES decision on reducing illegal killing of
elephants and development of country plans
Supporting UN REDD in reducing deforestation
through project LEAF and ORGFORC with
INTERPOL, UNODC, CITES, WCO, UNEP, FAO
and UNDP
Supporting West African nations in reducing illegal
fisheries and rise in piracy off West Africa
Combating wildlife crime in East Africa by training
frontline rangers, prosecutors and customs together
with UNODC and INTERPOL
Raising global awareness of the losses and risks
associated with the rise in organized crime and
illegal exploitation of natural resources
Environmental crime
How the rise in transnational organized environmental crime leads
to losses in revenues and undermines state security and hence long-
term development
Major impacts
The road ahead 2014–2017
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