Environmental crime remains a low priority for international law enforcement, according to new research co-authored by Dr Diogo Veríssimo from the Environmental Change Institute (ECI) at the University of Oxford.
- Only 2% of Interpol Red Notices target environmental criminals.
- Offences like illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and pollution are largely ignored by global enforcement.
- Researchers say this shows a major gap in international action against environmental crime.
The study finds that despite the severe impacts of offences such as illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, and pollution, international police agencies rarely pursue environmental offenders with the same urgency as other criminals.
An analysis of Interpol’s global database shows that environmental offences make up just a fraction of active cases. Out of more than 7,000 Interpol Red Notices — alerts used to locate and arrest fugitives — only 21 relate to environmental crimes.
Dr Veríssimo, who leads the Biodiversity and Behavioural Science Team (BBeST) at Oxford, said:
Environmental crimes are among the most profitable and damaging illegal activities in the world, yet they continue to be treated as a side issue. The lack of international action suggests that these offences are still not being taken seriously by enforcement systems.”
The study, led by Sally Lauren Sinclair of the University of Göttingen, with co-authors Dr Veríssimo and Elena C. Rubino of the University of Arkansas at Monticello, highlights a troubling enforcement gap. The authors argue that the underuse of international policing tools reflects broader problems — from limited resources and fragmented communication to a lack of political will.
Dr Veríssimo added:
If existing tools like Red Notices aren’t being used for environmental crimes, it points to a deeper issue of priorities. Until we address this imbalance, those profiting from environmental destruction will continue to act with impunity.”
The researchers say that as recognition grows for the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment — and as more countries adopt “rights of nature” laws — enforcement mechanisms must evolve to match these ambitions.
The study, Environmental crimes are overlooked in global enforcement: an analysis of Interpol Red Notices, is published in Oryx by Cambridge University Press.
Read more in The Conversation: Why are so few environmental criminals on Interpol’s ‘most wanted’ list?