065 - Engaging the private sector to combat wildlife trafficking

065 - Engaging the private sector to combat wildlife trafficking

Latest version in this language: Version as adopted by electronic vote | Published on: 19 Nov 2020

RECOGNISING that wildlife trafficking is an international crisis that is negatively affecting populations of a variety of threatened species, including timber species;

RECALLING that wildlife trafficking is now the fourth largest transnational crime, and that illegal trade of wildlife and wildlife parts around the world continues to increase in scope and volume;

RECOGNISING that combatting wildlife trafficking is a complex issue that requires a holistic, civil society approach and the inclusion of non-traditional actors;

WELCOMING the ongoing efforts by nonprofit organisations to engage the private sector across a variety of industries;

RECALLING the IUCN Business and Biodiversity Programme, which engages key sectors to address biodiversity challenges;

NOTING WITH CONCERN that wildlife traffickers are utilising global supply chains to transport and trade illicit goods;

RECOGNISING that law enforcement is strengthened when witnesses to crimes are encouraged financially and otherwise to provide information (‘blow the whistle') to prosecutors, and are protected from retaliation when they do; and

HIGHLIGHTING that the private sector has unique consumer audiences that can be educated and mobilised to reduce global demand for illegal wildlife and wildlife products;

The IUCN World Conservation Congress, at its session in Marseille, France:

1. CALLS ON the Director General, in cooperation with Commissions and Members, to:

a. inventory and identify priorities for strengthening and expanding the various private-sector initiatives and partnerships underway to fight wildlife crime in various sectors; and

b. develop a strategy to further engage key private-sector industries, working with relevant international organisations;

2. URGES Members to increase engagement with the private sector to combat wildlife trafficking;

3. CALLS ON Members to share case studies and lessons learned when engaging with the private sector, in order to combat wildlife trafficking;

4. REQUESTS the private sector, in partnership with Members, to develop and implement strategies that seek to combat wildlife trafficking, such as by:

a. implementing strong corporate policies that seek to close supply chains and thwart the transport and trade of illegal wildlife and wildlife products;

b. utilising owned communications channels to amplify unified messaging to combat wildlife trafficking, engaging consumers in efforts to reduce global demand; and

c. working in partnership with law enforcement to comply with international and domestic wildlife laws and create internal and external reporting mechanisms for suspicious activities;

5. URGES states to actively encourage, protect, reward and otherwise support individuals who are willing and able to provide information for the prosecution of wildlife trafficking; and

6. URGES IUCN and its Members to develop and communicate globally, a formal definition of poaching and its negative impact on sustainability, providing a clear delineation between poaching and legal, regulated hunting.

Wildlife trafficking is an international crisis. An unprecedented global demand for exotic wildlife products has triggered an industrial-scale killing spree of endangered species. Wildlife experts have confirmed that if we don’t act quickly, trafficking will wipe out many endangered species in our lifetime. In addition to increasing law enforcement and community-based programs for conservation, in addition to other critical efforts, the issue of both supply and demand of illegal wildlife and wildlife products requires further attention, and unity. Several efforts to engage the private sector are underway in a variety of sectors, including efforts by the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, a coalition of more than seventy nonprofit organizations, companies, and AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, working together to combat wildlife trafficking by: (1) raising public awareness; (2) effecting behavior change in order to reduce demand; and (3) mobilizing companies in key sectors to assist in efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, including addressing both the supply and demand of illicit goods.

The private sector has a very important role to play--not only in closing supply chains that transport and trade illicit wildlife goods, but in raising the public awareness about the crisis of wildlife trafficking. In 2016, BBMG and GlobeScan released the results of a global study which confirmed that the number of “aspirational consumers” is growing rapidly around the world. “Aspirationals” are defined by their love of shopping, desire for responsible consumption, and their trust in brands that act in the best interest of society. They are also among the most likely to “support companies and brands that have a purpose of making a positive difference in society through their products, services, and operations.”

In addition to initiatives within the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, several global efforts to engage the private sector have been formed, including the Coalition to End Wildlife Trafficking Online, United for Wildlife's Task Force on Transportation and Finance, USAID's Reducing Opportunities for Unlawful Transport of Endangered Species (ROUTES), the National Whistleblower Center’s (NWC) Global Wildlife Whistleblower Program, the World Travel and Tourism Council's (WTTC) Buenos Aires Declaration on Wildlife Trafficking, and many others. Opportunities now exist to inventory and identify priorities for strengthening and expanding the various private sector initiatives and partnerships underway to fight wildlife crime in various sectors; and developing a comprehensive global strategy to further engage key private sector industries.
  • Association of Zoos and Aquariums [United States of America]
  • Earth Day Network [United States of America]
  • Environment and Conservation Organisations of New Zealand [New Zealand]
  • Freeland Foundation [Thailand]
  • National Whistleblower Center [United States of America]
  • PROVITA [Venezuela]
  • Reforestamos México A.C. [Mexico]
  • San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance [United States of America]
  • SYLVIA EARLE ALLIANCE (DBA MISSION BLUE) [United States of America]
  • World Resources Institute [United States of America]

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