Understanding the Environmental Crime

Due to globalization and advanced technology, negative environmental consequences result from industrial and commercial operations worldwide. Tackling environmental illegalities is a major global concern that requires ongoing evaluation and revision at all levels and in different parts of the world. During the last century, there has been increased attention given to the problem of environmental crimes. Sanctions against environmental crimes must be more effective, stronger, realistic and imminent. In the battle against environmental crimes, several obstacles have distracted the implementation of criminal law. This paper addresses the valuable role of criminal law in providing effectiveness of environmental protection laws, since compliance with environmental laws is not usually voluntary. In specific, this paper examines some obstacles in an international context. The study is based on theoretically driven research methods. It examines primary and secondary resources on the topic such as assigned laws, precedents, academic books, journal articles and reliable websites. Finally, it concludes with some recommendations that could contribute to minimizing (if not preventing) environmental crimes.