Prevent, punish, repair: how can justice protect our planet?

Illegal mining, dumping of waste in the wild, deforestation, illegal fishing and trafficking in protected species... Environmental crime is devastating the planet and ranks fourth in the world after drug trafficking, human trafficking and counterfeiting.[1] These illegal activities come on top of the unprecedented global warming the planet is experiencing, according to the IPCC's alarming report due out in August 2021.

---

Faced with these urgent issues, awareness of the global dimension of environmental damage and its link with all aspects of society (economy, health, inequalities) has led to the drafting of numerous international conventions; the European Commission is focusing on a strategy centered on a "green pact", and major international meetings such as the COPs are attempting to introduce measures on a planetary scale.

However, to effectively protect our planet and prevent and punish environmental offences, it is essential to train and coordinate all those involved in the criminal justice chain, from investigators to magistrates, public administrations and specialized organizations. In addition to professionals, we also need to raise awareness and promote access to the law, so that citizens and civil society organizations can take up these issues and seek redress through the justice system.

How can international cooperation contribute to structuring robust environmental justice at different scales? What tools and mechanisms are needed to achieve genuine environmental justice?

[1]  According to Interpol and the United Nations Environment Programme: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/fr/qanda_21_6745

---