The Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime: Begun in 2011/12, it is a small network of prominent individuals who are law enforcement, governance and development practitioners who are dedicated to seeking new and innovative strategies to end organized crime, to examine the global impact of organized environmental crime on security, governance and development. Members are from UN, Interpol (see above), government enforcement agencies and academics.

The intention is not for a mere assessment of the problem, but a forward looking analysis of the costs and impacts in different spheres, to assess what is being done in response now, how effective it is, what is being lost and to propose policy recommendations.
‘The escalation of environmental crime over the past decade, its links to terrorist activities, the rising value of environmental contraband and the clear lack of success among those trying to stem the tide – these crimes are inching their way up the to-do lists of law enforcers, politicians and policymakers.
Environmental crimes, by their nature, tend to be concentrated in areas of low population density, in national parks and in remote areas or hinterlands, and can thus continue largely under the radar, inflicting untold damage to national and regional ecosystems. In addition, they result in revenue losses for the state and businesses, foster corruption, and increase insecurity. Illegal wildlife trading now ranks among the most valuable illicit markets in the world. The “tipping point” on wildlife crime is fast approaching: the extinction of key species and irreparable damage to the environment are both imminent possibilities in the near future. Growing demand for wildlife products in key markets has triggered a professionalization and aggression in poaching which is unparalleled. Armed with advanced weaponry, surveillance equipment and facilitated by extensive corruption, the criminal market in wildlife crime is now one of the most significant illicit markets in the world. Key species such as the rhino are being slaughtered at record levels. Lesser known animals are traded at a scale that is almost incomprehensible. This is no longer just a criminal act: it is warfare.’