State of the Rainforest 2014
a conservative estimate is that militant and terrorist groups may profit by USD 111–289 million annually. 69 Demand for charcoal is expected to triple over the next decades. It is crucial to gain a better understanding of the charcoal trade in order to establish control and hinder armed groups profiting. The global community has gained a better understanding of the scale and nature of environmental crime over the past years. This is evident through the decisions of international bodies such as CITES, ECOSOC, the UN Security Council, UN General Assembly, INTERPOL, and WCO. 70 There are several initiatives established to restrict the import of illegal tropical wood. These include certification schemes, such as the FSC, and voluntary trade agreements, including the Unites States of America’s Lacey Act and the European Union’s FLEGT programme. While these are important mechanisms for establishing collaboration and joint interventions to counter import of illegal timber, there is an urgent need to strengthen law enforcement capacity, involving the entire enforcement chain from customs to police up to the justice systems. 71 The International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC), which was established in 2010, is such a body. It operates on a global scale, bringing together CITES, INTERPOL, UNODC, The World Bank and WCO. 72 There are several positive examples of initiatives operating on a national level that have been successful in reducing transnational environmental crime. The Brazilian government has invested in a broad enforcement effort to reduce illegal logging by targeting the entire criminal chain. As a result, deforestation rates in the Brazilian Amazon were at its lowest in 2012 since monitoring started in the late 1980s. 73 In Tanzania, INTERPOL and UNODC have trained over 1000 rangers resulting in several arrests at the crime scene. 74 Another successful initiative has resulted in several prosecutions for illegal logging in Indonesia. In 2012 UNDOC trained financial investigative and anti-corruption agencies in anti-money laundering measures. This resulted in The Financial Investigative Unit being able to detect highly suspicious transactions that proved to be linked to timber smuggling. The suspect was found guilty and sentenced to eight years imprisonment on the back of evidence which proved that USD 127 million had passed through his accounts. 75 In order to combat transnational environmental crime it is crucial to invest in law enforcement efforts, environmental legislations, anti- corruption initiatives, alternative livelihoods as well as consumer awareness. While much has been accomplished in the past years, forest crime will continue to exist unless the risk of being prosecuted increases and opportunities to profit from it are reduced. A wide range of stakeholders need to be involved. This includes environmental, enforcement and development sectors, as well as stakeholders involved in security and peacekeeping missions.
New and old trafficking routes
Environment-related illegal trafficking. Includes wood, wildlife, animal parts (i.e.ivory, rhinocerous horns and fur) and wastes
Main illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing areas
“Traditional” illegal trafficking. Includes heroin, cocaine and human beings Main destination country Main transit country Country of origin of “traditional” illegal trafficking Main country or region of origin of environmental-related illegal trafficking
Sources: UNODC Annual Reports 2010 e 2013; WWF-Australia; Globaltimber.co.uk, Estimates of the percentage of “Illegal Timber” in the imports of wood-based products from selected countries, 2007; TRAFFIC; FAO; World Ocean Review Report 2013; Michigan State University, Human Trafficking Task Force; Greenpeace, The Toxic Ship, 2010; National Geographic press review.
Annual revenue, higher estimates Billion dollars A growing sector
Illegal logging and trade
Drugs
200
100
50
Cyber crimes
Illegal fishing
30
Wildlife trafficking
23
20
Illegal trafficking of light weapons
Illegal trafficking of toxic wastes
12
Sources: TRAFFIC; FAO; UNODC; Global Financial Integrity
85
STATE OF THE RAINFOREST 2014
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