TEPSA has coordinated an in-depth analysis requested by DEVE Committee of the European Parliament. The briefing was authored by Ragnhild Sollund, a Professor at the University of Oslo in Norway, and Tanya Wyatt, a Professor at Northumbria University in the United Kingdom. The briefing is entitled “Environmental Criminality in Developing Countries”.
Environmental crime harms people, other species and the planet. It is one of the most prevalent and profitable forms of crime, yet remains overlooked, as is the role of corporations in committing these crimes. This mixed-method in-depth analysis constituted a literature and policy review, interviews with experts and European Union delegates to developing countries, and the previous field research of the authors. The analysis explores the types of environmental criminality and what is known about environmental crimes in the developing world as well as how they are being prevented and responded to. It presents deeper investigation of four developing countries— Colombia, Indonesia, Ghana, and the Democratic Republic of Congo — focusing on wildlife, forest and fishery crimes, pollution and waste. These case studies look at lessons learned from these countries’ responses to environmental crimes. A number of recommendations are made focusing on how to improve policy frameworks, legislative frameworks and implementation (with emphasis on corporate governance and due diligence), prevention, enforcement, as well as cooperation and communication. Overall, more research is needed to better understand the nature and scope of environmental crime, to gain evidence about effective prevention strategies, and to gather more information about how to reduce reoffending, particularly by corporations.