U.N. seeks to curb global environmental crimes

By the Editorial Team · Friday, October 30, 2026

Countries led by Brazil have initiated negotiations to create the first international protocol targeting environmental crimes such as wildlife trafficking and illegal deforestation under the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. This protocol aims to enhance global legal cooperation for investigating and prosecuting these offenses, addressing a major gap in international efforts to protect biodiversity and natural resources.

Negotiations are set to begin on the establishment of the world’s first international protocol aimed at combating environmental crime, including wildlife trafficking, illegal deforestation, and illicit waste smuggling. The initiative, approved on October 23 at the 13th biennial meeting of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), seeks to create legal frameworks that facilitate investigation, prosecution, and adjudication of environmental offenses on a global scale.

The protocol will be drafted over the next two years under the auspices of UNTOC, a treaty founded in 2003 to address transnational criminal activities such as international organized crime, money laundering, and corruption. The new protocol is designed to complement existing UNTOC protocols that focus on human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and illegal arms trade, forming part of a broader effort to coordinate international cooperation on serious crimes.

The proposal was led by Brazil and jointly submitted by 12 countries, eight from Latin America and four from Africa. During the vote, 83 parties cast favor in support while 12 voted against, and 27 abstained, surpassing the required two-thirds majority to move forward with drafting the protocol. The United States notably opposed the resolution, although specific reasons for its dissent were not detailed.

Supporters emphasized the importance of the resolution in addressing the rising scale and complexity of environmental crimes. Alice Pasqualato, a global policy specialist on environmental crime with the Wildlife Conservation Society, described the decision as a “landmark moment in the global fight against environmental crime.” Similarly, Mark Jones, head of policy at the Born Free Foundation, a U.K.-based wildlife charity, highlighted that the resolution reflects growing global recognition of the seriousness and interconnected nature of such offenses. Jones also commended the states that developed and supported the initiative and expressed an interest in engaging constructively in the forthcoming negotiations.

The forthcoming discussions are expected to be held at the next UNTOC assembly in two years, where the draft protocol will be reviewed and refined. The protocol aims to provide a stronger legal basis for international cooperation, including mechanisms for the extradition and prosecution of suspects involved in environmental crimes, thereby filling a critical gap in global efforts to safeguard natural resources and biodiversity against organized illicit activities.

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