Policy & Legality

EIA has achieved major policy victories that address the international illegal trade and consumption in timber, wildlife and climate harming super pollutants, including improved landmark protections for a number of species, increased enforcement measures and reducing or stopping major global illegal trade flows and emissions. Our investigations and evidence-based campaigns help inform the development of progressive environmental policies that can be monitored and enforced. With groundbreaking research and data analysis, we provide quality evidence from the field that has consistently elicited action from enforcement officials, policy-makers, industry actors, and consumers. 

The nexus between habitat loss, species commodification and financial crime has garnered increased attention of late; governments realize the vast revenues they’re losing to corruption, money laundering and tax evasion in the natural resources sectors. Our work has contributed to and fostered international enforcement cooperation and helped strengthen regional cooperation to address cross-border smuggling of flora and fauna, seeking improved governance and legally respected and protected local and indigenous communities.

Related Resources

Letters

Letter: NGOs Urge Action from Tokyo on Ivory

On January 19, 2023, EIA and 17 other Japanese and international NGOs sent a letter to Tokyo’s Governor Koike, applauding her and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for action taken on the trade in elephant ivory thus far. The organizations also encouraged Tokyo to continue to heed the recommendations from the designated Advisory Council, including by enacting an ordinance […]

Press Release

Japan Prime Minister Urged to Commit to Japan’s Ivory Market Closure

Washington, DC and Tokyo, Japan – Before the 19th meeting of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Nov 14-25, non-government organizations are appealing to Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for Japan’s commitment to closing its ivory market to protect elephants from the threat of […]

Report

Rhinoceros Poaching in Botswana

In 2017, rhino poaching started to increase in Botswana as poachers began killing rhinos in the vast Okavango Delta region in the northwest of the country. EIA’s situational analysis highlights some of the key issues facing Botswana’s conservation sector and contains EIA’s recommendations for actions to be taken by Botswana and CITES CoP19. Read the […]

Report

Two Sides of the Same Coin: Tackling transnational wildlife trafficking between West and Central Africa and South-East Asia

West and Central Africa continues to raise concerns among Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as a significant hub for global wildlife trafficking. This briefing highlights the parallel responsibilities and shortcomings of both West and Central Africa and South-East Asia in implementing their commitments under […]