UN agency calls for global anti-crime action to avoid climate catastrophe

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Combating climate change

Unodc highlighted the association between biodiversity and climate change by highlighting how forests and other terrestrial and marine ecosystems capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, helping to combat climate change.

For the executive director of Unodc, Ghada Waly, “time is running out to avoid climate catastrophe, prevent the loss of biodiversity and end the suffocation of the planet” caused by pollution and the illegal disposal of waste.

She highlighted the seriousness of environmental crimes because they weaken the planet's resilience, threaten species with extinction, contaminate vital water resources and undermine the rule of law and sustainable development. 

Addressing governments and other parties involved in the anti-crime approach, Waly called for the global event to serve to take concrete measures to provide justice responses to the climate agenda and favor the planet and its fragile ecosystems.

Wildlife trafficking and crimes in the fishing sector 

The Unodc lists illegal deforestation, marine pollution, wildlife trafficking and crimes in the fishing, waste and mining sectors as among the main environmental crimes.

These illicit activities contribute to the rapid degradation of ecosystems because they undermine their ability to adapt to climate change. This worsens the decline in biodiversity and the release of CO2 and other harmful gases into the atmosphere.

What are greenhouse gases (GHG)?

Greenhouse gases (GHG) are chemical compounds present in the Earth's atmosphere that have the ability to retain heat. They contribute to the natural phenomenon known as the greenhouse effect, which is vital to maintaining Earth's temperature suitable for life.

The environment also becomes more degraded with the practice of crimes such as illegal waste trafficking or lack of management or disposal in public ecosystems, illicit landfills or open-air incineration sites. 

Without action to contain these crimes and safely manage this waste, the result could be an increase in greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and other pollutants. It is estimated that these elements are responsible for around 3% of global emissions.

Degradation caused by mining

Unodc calls for more support and environmentally sound waste management practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while promoting a circular climate mitigation economy.

What is the Circular Economy?

A circular economy is an economic system based on the principle of maximizing the value and utility of resources, minimizing waste and reducing environmental impact.

On the other hand, activities such as illegal mining devastate landscapes, degrade natural habitats and disrupt vital carbon sinks, including minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper and rare earth substances that are needed for the energy transition. sustainable.

The high global demand for these materials also drives corruption and organized crime due to limitations in law enforcement capabilities, good use of regulatory measures and vulnerabilities in supply chains.

(With UN News)

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