Regulating the illegal trafficking of wild fauna and flora (including timber and derived products), the extraction and illegal trafficking of minerals and precious metals and the illicit trafficking of waste: on these points the UN countries voted by a large majority in favor of the adoption of the first international treaty against environmental crimes.
A few days ago, in fact, in Vienna, the Cop13 of the Palermo Convention (UNTOC, legacy of Falcone and Borsellino) voted to establish the fourth Protocol to the Convention against transnational organized crime, dedicated to transnational environmental crimes.
A treaty that will have to be integrated into the Palermo Convention and which aims to regulate precisely those activities, assessed by experts as “series A” crimes capable of moving hundreds of billions of dollars annually and often linked to organized criminal networks.
The vote in Vienna and the opposition of the United States
The decision came on October 23, 2026, with 83 votes in favor, 12 against and 27 abstentions. The resolution was promoted by 11 countries from Latin America and Africa, with Brazil at the forefront. Those against include the United States, along with Japan, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
For its part, in fact, the US delegation attempted to modify the text by presenting three amendments, all rejected, arguing the need to use existing tools rather than starting a new negotiation which would have required additional resources and time. Washington then called for a vote on the entire resolution, inviting other countries to reject it, but the outcome far exceeded the required two-thirds majority, with the support also of the European Union states.
Be careful, however: the treaty has not yet been approved in its definitive form. The vote authorizes the start of negotiations to develop a new international protocol, which would be added to the three already provided for by the Palermo Convention, dedicated to trafficking in persons, smuggling of migrants and firearms.
Why we need a treaty against environmental crimes
The problem concerns above all the international dimension of these illegal activities. Timber can be felled clandestinely in one country and traded on the other side of the world; Illegally mined gold can cross several borders before reaching international markets; Hazardous waste may be shipped overseas to circumvent disposal regulations.
Criminal organizations exploit the differences between national legislation, taking advantage of insufficient controls, corruption and difficulties in judicial cooperation.
As Alice Pasqualato, policy expert on environmental crimes at the Wildlife Conservation Society, explained, for too long these traffickings have been considered secondary crimes compared to drug trafficking or the illegal trade in weapons. Yet, their consequences are equally serious: deforestation, loss of biodiversity, contamination of water and soil and violations of the rights of local communities.
The future protocol could offer common tools to combat them, facilitating international investigations, the extradition of those responsible, legal assistance between States and the recovery of illicit proceeds.
What will happen now
The resolution establishes a committee to develop the text through four negotiating sessions, with the aim of presenting a draft to the next Conference of the Parties, scheduled for October 2028.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) welcomed the decision, calling it a historic step in strengthening the international response to environmental crimes. However, the organization underlines that the future agreement must be based on scientific knowledge, guarantee the protection of indigenous peoples and local communities and provide effective tools to ascertain damage and restore compromised ecosystems.
The challenge, therefore, will be to transform this first political consensus into truly applicable rules. Because those who destroy a forest, poison a territory or fuel the illegal trade of protected species not only cause environmental damage: they put the health, safety and economic resources of entire communities at risk.
Sources: EEAS/IUCN
