Leadership Dialogue 1 - “Reflecting on the urgent need for actions to achieve a healthy planet and prosperity of all”

Leadership Dialogue 1 - “Reflecting on the urgent need for actions to achieve a healthy planet and prosperity of all” In order to effectively drive the transformation of our relationship with nature, we need to use the strength of multilateralism to address all key challenges and threats contributing to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. Illegal exploitation of natural resources, crime and corruption pose a major threat to the environment. Wildlife and timber trafficking, crimes in the fisheries sector, illegal exploitation of natural resources and marine pollution affect biodiversity, undermine human health, socio - economic development and pose security risks to people and states. Illicit activities disrupt the enforcement of the environmental regulations and contribute to climate change by destroying natural carbon sinks, degrading ecosystems, and disturbing the balance of the oceans. There is a real need to strengthen the protection of the environment through criminal law. Despite the seriously damaging consequences of crimes that affect the environment, they are not being tackled effectively. Strong legislative frameworks are required to have a deterrent effect on individuals, groups, and companies committing such offences. Effective international and multi-stakeholder cooperation are necessary aspects of the global response, including bringing environmental enforcement and criminal justice system practitioners to work together. Stockholm+50, and in particular Leadership Dialogue 1, provides an opportunity to highlight the need to address crimes that affect the environment and to reflect on how the tools of the criminal justice system can contribute to our collective efforts to achieve a healthy planet and prosperity of all.