Environmental Crimes: Their Nature, Scope, and Problems in Identification

Environmental crimes are illegal acts that directly harm the environment. They can cause considerable damage to ecosystems, increasing the risk of disease, environmental disaster, food chain contamination, pollution, wildlife degradation, reduced life expectancy, and increased rates of human morbidity. Environmental crime is the fourth largest criminal enterprise in the world. (INTERPOL-UN) These crimes include illegal logging, wildlife trafficking, hazardous waste dumping, illegal fishing, and the trade of endangered species, among others. Despite their wide-ranging implications, identifying and prosecuting these offenses remain challenging. This paper explores the nature and scope of environmental crimes, the difficulties in their identification, and the need for improved detection and enforcement mechanisms to tackle these illegal activities effectively. By examining the current state of environmental crime, the paper seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the issue, contributing to the development of more effective policies and strategies to combat this growing global problem. The European Space Agency is offering technical support and funding to companies developing innovative and commercial services that use space technology to combat environmental crimes. The paper also discusses the role of organized criminal networks and the relationship between environmental crimes and other types of criminal activities such as money laundering, corruption, and human trafficking. From the other side, it examines the challenges posed by the complexity of environmental crimes, the need for specialized knowledge and expertise, and the role of corruption and other factors that hinder effective identification and enforcement.   Received: 05 May 2022 / Accepted: 16 May 2023 / Published: 20 May 2023