OpenLobby.EU
Explore

Wildlife Conservation Society

WCS

The Wildlife Conservation Society, founded in 1895, has the clear mission to save wildlife and wild places across the globe.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Environmental Implementation Review 2019: common implementation challenges across the EU

26 Nov 2018

In order for the Environmental Implementation Review to achieve its aim of improving the implementation of EU environmental policy and law, the European Commission must fulfil its commitment to review EU Directive 2008/99/EC on the protection of the environment through criminal law. Environmental crime has become the fourth largest illegal global trade, after drugs, counterfeiting and human trafficking, estimated to be worth up to 216 billion USD; and wildlife trafficking alone is worth an estimated 23 billion USD annually (1). A recent UN Environment - Interpol report (2) concluded that environmental crime constitutes a threat to peace and security, and often converges with other serious crimes such as corruption, cybercrime and financial crime. The EU has recognised this issue and committed to tackling it in its Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking. Adopted in 2016, the Action Plan outlines a comprehensive range of measures to be taken by the EU and its Member States to tackle wildlife trafficking. Several EU Member States were also involved in the drafting of a landmark United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on wildlife crime, adopted in September 2017, which calls on countries to make wildlife crime a serious crime within national legislation (3). However, responses to wildlife crime in the EU are currently patchy and generally insufficient to deter would-be offenders. The EU therefore needs to review and revise its own Environmental Crime legislation in order to meet its international commitments. This would also lead to more resources and people dedicated to investigating and prosecuting wildlife crimes along with increased penalties for offenders. In line with the EU Agenda on Security 2016-2020, the European Commission Directorate-General for Justice (DG JUST) has been tasked with the review of the effectiveness of Directive 2008/99/EC on the protection of the environment through criminal law, including concerning the criminal sanctions applicable to wildlife trafficking throughout the EU (4) (see page 18 – Action 14). As a first step in the review process, the Commission organised a productive workshop on 20 October 2016, attended by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and other NGOs, which focused on how the Environmental Crime Directive contributes to the fight against organised environmental crime. The next step in the review process was anticipated to be the publication by DG JUST of an in-depth analysis on the contribution of criminal law to the fight against environmental crime, which was expected by the end of 2017. WCS therefore urges the Commission to publish the in-depth analysis as soon as possible and to communicate a clear timeframe and consultation process. This is particularly important given the urgency of the issue, and given that both the Agenda on Security and the Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking stated that the review would take place by the end of 2016. We therefore now call on the Commission to fulfil the commitments it has made in this area, and we look forward to receiving more information on the review and revision process of the EU Environmental Crime Directive from DG JUST. (1) May, C., (2017). Transnational Crime and the Developing World. Global Financial Integrity. Retrieved from www.gfintegrity.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Transnational_Crime-final.pdf. (2) INTERPOL-UN Environment (2016). Strategic Report: Environment, Peace and Security – A Convergence of Threats. Retrieved from https://www.interpol.int/Media/Files/News-Media-releases/2016/2016-165-INTERPOL-UNEP-Strategic-Report-Environment,-Peace-and-Security. (3) United Nations General Assembly (2017, September 5). Tackling illicit trafficking in wildlife. Retrieved from http://undocs.org/A/71/L.88 (4) European Commission (2016, February 26). EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking. Retrieved from http://ec.europa.eu/environment/cites/pdf/WAP_EN_WEB.PDF.
Read full response

Meeting with Sebastien Paquot (Cabinet of Vice-President Karmenu Vella) and Eurogroup for Animals and

22 Nov 2018 · CITES

Response to Institutional investors' and asset managers' duties regarding sustainability

19 Jun 2018

Recommend bringing Article 11 into line with best or good practice for financial investment and development projects by aligning with International Finance Corporation Performance Standard 6 and its Guidance Notes, the Equator Principles and the World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard 6. The above approach can be incorporated into Article 11, paragraph 1 as a new point (e): 'development projects and their supporting infrastructure aim for a goal of no net loss or preferably a net gain of priority biodiversity features by applying the mitigation hierarchy to first avoid impacts, then by minimising and restoring impacts and finally residual impacts can be offset.' Further, the technical screening criteria, particularly for protection of healthy ecosystems, would benefit from the new guidance that has been developed for the IFC Performance Standard 6 (to be published shortly) and other standards, specifically for the private sector and other economic activities.
Read full response

Meeting with Maria-Myrto Kanellopoulou (Cabinet of Vice-President Neven Mimica)

23 May 2018 · Wildlife Conversation - sustainable livelyhoods. Forest protection in developing countries

Meeting with Daniel Calleja Crespo (Director-General Environment)

18 Jan 2018 · Introductory Meeting, Wildlife and Biodiversity

Meeting with Aurore Maillet (Cabinet of Vice-President Karmenu Vella)

26 Jul 2017 · Our ocean and wildlife

Meeting with Stefano Manservisi (Director-General Directorate-General for International Partnerships)

24 Apr 2017 · Possibilities of collaboration

Meeting with Fernando Frutuoso De Melo (Director-General Directorate-General for International Partnerships)

3 Feb 2015 · Programmes de biodiversité et de défense de wildlife dans les pays du développement