The World Customs Organization (WCO) acknowledged World Environment Day on June 5, 2024, emphasizing the vital role of customs in safeguarding the environment. Under the theme of “Land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience,” the WCO supports the United Nations’ call to address pressing environmental issues like climate change, biodiversity loss, and illegal trade in flora and fauna.
Customs plays a crucial role in combating environmental crime, from tackling illegal wildlife trade to intercepting hazardous material shipments. By enforcing Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs) such as CITES and the Montreal Protocol, customs administrations contribute to the fight against environmental offenses. Effective enforcement requires understanding MEAs, legal and technical capacity, risk management techniques, and strong information networks.
WCO Secretary-General Ian Saunders highlighted the importance of customs in environmental protection and urged administrations to take concrete actions to address environmental risks and crime. Through training materials and collaboration with international partners, customs administrations enhance their enforcement capacity. Enforcement actions like Operation DEMETER and Operation THUNDER help Customs and its partners combat environmental crime and protect natural resources, contributing to sustainable development efforts.