Takeaways from COP 16 : Corruption as the driver of biodiversity loss and wildlife trafficking

By: Faramalala ANDRIAMPARANY, Environment Project Officer, Transparency International Initiative Madagascar.

This is a guest blog. The contribution is intended to bring diverse perspectives and insights, enriching the discussions and content for other members and the public. If you are interested in contributing a blog, please contact the forum's coordinators.

The 16th United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 16) was held in Cali, Colombia, from October 21 to November 1, 2024. As the premier global platform for negotiations and discussions on global biodiversity commitments, the conference brought together a wide range of stakeholders to address critical environmental issues.

As it is highlighted in a paper by the Basel Institute of Governance , corruption facilitates crimes that have a devastating impact on the environment. Corruption not only exacerbates biodiversity loss but also drives other environmental challenges, including wildlife trafficking and illegal resource exploitation.

To strengthen the achievement of Targets 3, 4, and 5 under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework it is necessary to integrate anti-corruption measures into biodiversity action plans. Addressing corruption in the enforcement of protected areas, resource management, and conservation policies is vital to safeguarding biodiversity hotspots and preventing illegal activities. By fostering transparency, accountability, and community engagement, these measures aim to bridge the gap between policy commitments and on-the-ground implementation, ensuring that global biodiversity goals translate into measurable progress.

How was corruption addressed during CBD COP 16 ?

According to Jenny Mclnees, Group Head of Sustainability Policy and Partnerships at HSBC “Bribery and corruption, fraud, tax evasion, all are associated with environmental crime. We need to be as sophisticated as the criminal networks”. She has emphasized the connection during the launch of Environmental Crimes Financial Toolkit, an innovative toolkit developed by WWF-UK and Themis. Another side event organized by WWF-UK, titled “Addressing Environmental Crime, Crime Convergence, and Financial Sectors’ Impact on Biodiversity at COP 16,” notably highlighted the role of corruption in environmental crimes.

Despite these efforts, corruption received limited attention during the official COP16 discussions and side-events. This issue is frequently associated with financial and environmental crimes but is rarely singled out as a key topic that warrants focused attention. Moreover, the anti-corruption players were notably underrepresented, compared to their presence at other COPs, such as those under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) or the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). However, the Nature Crime Alliance has helpfully summarized some of the major COP 16 side-events related to nature crime which touched on corruption.

Strengthening cooperation to combat corruption related to biodiversity loss

Although corruption was not a primary focus at COP 16, it is crucial to foster dialogue on the interrelation between corruption, environmental crimes, wildlife trafficking, and broader biodiversity loss, as these connections are often poorly understood and overlooked. For instance, corruption could be linked to fraud and money laundering, as highlighted in Transparency International Brazil’s paper on the risks of fraud, corruption, and laundering driving wildlife trafficking.

Similarly, according to the latest UNCAC Coalition’s paper, mechanisms for cooperation, coordination, and joint activities should be promoted among the various international conventions, such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), to address their interconnections.

Additionally, to combat wildlife trafficking and other environmental crimes fueled by corruption, innovative approaches and robust networks are essential. Traffickers operate as highly organized transnational networks, necessitating an equally coordinated response, with well-organized and well-equipped coalitions that can play a pivotal role in combating these threats.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the guest contributors and do not necessarily reflect the position of other members or organisations in the Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum.