The case for a clear legal definition of environmental crime

Often overlooked and dismissed as a minor issue, “environmental crime” remains undefined in international law, even though it is acknowledged as one of the fastest-growing areas of illicit activity worldwide.

This type of crime destroys habitats, depletes economic resources, and at times creates security risks. Yet the absence of a definition has led countries and institutions to adopt their own interpretations, undermining international cooperation.

The world must either establish a new convention or recognize “ecocide” as an international criminal offense, while also strengthening existing enforcement mechanisms, such as Interpol and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

For now, environmental crime exists as a fragmented legal concept that hinders global enforcement coordination and policy harmonization because it lacks universal recognition comparable to piracy or terrorism.

The broader definition, now adopted in some jurisdictions, extends to carbon market fraud, deliberate manipulation of emissions data, and cyberattacks against environmental monitoring systems.

These varying definitions have created obstacles to establishing mutual understanding. While several nations support creating a new treaty or recognizing ecocide as an international crime, others continue to focus on strengthening existing frameworks.

While this global discussion continues, Saudi Arabia has worked to establish domestic legal certainty through the Environmental Law of 2020, supported by complementary regulations that codify a wide range of environmental crimes and their penalties.

Key classifications include industrial pollution and hazardous waste, covering unlicensed discharges, dumping, or mishandling of dangerous materials, and illegal hunting and trading of wildlife, particularly endangered or protected species, under the Wildlife Conservation Law.

They also include encroachment on protected areas, and deforestation and overgrazing, regulated by the Forests and Rangelands Law through restrictions on tree cutting, uprooting, excessive livestock grazing, and large-scale vegetation destruction.

Marine and freshwater contamination caused by discharges of pollutants, and the illegal drilling of wells, which refers to unlicensed excavation or over-extraction of groundwater, are also key classifications.

Enforcement is shared among specialized institutions, including the National Center for Environmental Compliance, which oversees compliance and regulations, and the Special Forces for Environmental Security, responsible for field enforcement.

While this global discussion continues, Saudi Arabia has worked to establish domestic legal certainty.

Amal Albawardi

These also include the National Center for Wildlife, which manages biodiversity and protected areas, and the Public Prosecution, tasked with bringing serious environmental crimes to court to hold offenders accountable.

These institutions show that the Kingdom treats environmental protection as integral to its law, sovereignty, and security. 

Supporters of a new global framework advocate making large-scale environmental destruction an international crime. Small island states and vulnerable nations most affected by climate change support proposals to codify ecocide.

Pragmatists contend that enhancing the effectiveness of existing tools is quicker and more efficient.

Interpol’s success is evident in operations such as Days at Sea and 30 Days of Action, which have uncovered thousands of violations across several countries. These programs show that enforcement can succeed even without a shared definition when states work together.

In 2025, Saudi Arabia participated in the first meeting of the UN Intergovernmental Expert Group on Crimes that Affect the Environment, held in Vienna. This demonstrated its commitment to global governance through international policy work that protects national sovereignty while creating equitable partnerships.

The Kingdom’s position builds on Vision 2030 domestic reforms, which place environmental sustainability at the center of national transformation.

Saudi Arabia’s approach demonstrates both national commitment and international responsibility.

Domestically, the Kingdom enforces laws that punish pollution, wildlife trafficking, deforestation and illegal oil drilling. Abroad, it actively engages in shaping the conversation on how to confront these crimes collectively.

The Kingdom demonstrates its position as a global leader through clear domestic policies and active international relations. Environmental crime exists beyond borders, and so does the commitment to fight it.

• Amal Albawardi is general manager of the General Department of International Agreements and Cooperation at Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Environmental Compliance.