Böll.Global | The last frontier: Transnational Organized Crime and the Fight against Climate Change

On the occasion of the International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime, we want to talk about the far-reaching consequences for climate policy and biodiversity.

The impact of transnational organized crime on remote protected areas and indigenous lands is a pressing global issue. As criminal networks exploit vulnerable ecosystems, the collapse of state authority in key regions accelerates environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and undermines global climate efforts.

The weakening of the state monopoly on the use of force in regions under environmental regimes leaves a dangerous power vacuum. Transnational criminal actors dealing with drugs, people and weapons invest locally in poaching, illegal logging and gold mining, as well as in the trade in endangered species to launder their money. In this way, they extend their territorial and political influence and activities beyond their local markets worldwide. The local and global consequences of these developments are undeniable, although more systematic research is necessary. Greater global cooperation between the climate and security communities urgently required.

We want to discuss the following questions with experts and environmental activists: How does transnational organized crime undermine the global fight against climate change? How can we launch new, joint initiatives to reclaim environmental zones from criminal networks? How can we restore the balance between governance, biodiversity and climate resilience?

Introduction: Simon Ilse, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Global Unit Human Security

Panelists:

• Dr. Roberto Araújo, Senior Researcher at the Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi (MPEG), Pará
• Carla Suarez, Coordinator of the Environmental Crimes Programme, UNODC
• Kristina Amerhauser, ECO-SOLVE, Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GITOC)
• Prof. Berit Bliesemann de Guevara, Professor of international Politics at Aberystwyth University and principal researcher of AHRC-GCRF Network Plus “Creating Safer Space: Strengthening Civilian Protection Amidst Violent Conflict”

Moderation: Dr. Regine Schönenberg, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Rio de Janeiro

Contact:
Louisa Reeh
Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
E reeh@boell.de

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