The Decline of the Morula and the Shadow of Poaching - The State of the Global Environmental Crime Market (2007-2024)

The Decline of the Morula and the Shadow of Poaching - The State of the Global Environmental Crime Market (2007-2024)

Environmental crime encompasses a wide range of activities, including illegal wildlife trade, deforestation, and illegal dumping of waste, and it continues to grow in size. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) reports that illegal trade in precious metals, jewelry, timber, and waste is global, and these environmental crimes increase the risk of money laundering.

Illegal Wildlife Trade
Illegal wildlife trade is estimated to be worth over 2 trillion yen annually, making it the fourth largest crime in the world after drugs, arms, and human trafficking. In particular, the Asian region is a major consumer of wildlife, and poaching of species such as the cassowary and rhinoceros is a serious problem.

In Japan, between 2007 and 2018, 1,161 cases of animals of CITES species smuggled for pet purposes were seized, and about 70% of these were reptiles. Furthermore, poaching and illegal trade of marine products such as sea cucumbers, abalone, and whitebait eels is becoming increasingly serious in Japan, linked to organized crime.

Ties between Environmental Crime and Organized Crime
Environmental crimes are often linked to other criminal activities, particularly with drug trafficking. For example, in the Amazon region of Brazil, drug trafficking and environmental crimes are coupled, resulting in a sharp increase in homicides. This is due to the fact that criminal organizations are using environmental crimes as a means of laundering drug funds.

International Efforts
International legal frameworks are being strengthened to address environmental crimes. The European Union has adopted a directive aimed at strengthening sanctions and expanding the list of crimes for environmental crimes, with fines of at least 5% of a legal entity's gross global turnover in the previous fiscal year or €40 million for the most serious crimes.

Furthermore, there is a growing movement to position excessive environmental destruction as an international crime as "ecocide," and legislative efforts are underway, particularly in Europe.

Related Information
- Illegal wildlife trade: With an annual value of 2 trillion yen, it is considered the fourth largest criminal market in the world. Asia is a particular consumer market, and poaching targets include the civet and rhinoceros.
- Environmental crime in Japan: 1,161 cases of smuggling for pet purposes were identified between 2007 and 2018, 70% of which were reptiles. Poaching of sea cucumbers, abalone, and baby eels is also a problem.
- Environmental and Organized Crime: In the Brazilian Amazon, drug trafficking and environmental crime are linked, and murders are on the rise. Environmental crimes are being used as a means of laundering criminal funds.
- EU response: Introduced measures to impose fines of at least 5% of gross turnover or 40 million euros on legal entities.
- Ecocide legislation: A movement to treat environmental destruction as an international crime is underway.

Environmental crimes have become a global problem due to their varied forms and spread. It is closely linked not only to the destruction of ecosystems, but also to organized crime and money laundering, which calls for international cooperation and a stronger legal framework.