Environmental Crimes: A Felony Under Green Criminology

Ridhhi Choudhury & Agniva Bhattacharya, George School of Law

According to green criminology, environmental crimes have significantly increased recently and are now deemed felonies. The phrase "environmental crimes" refers to legal transgressions that harm the environment, such as illegally dumping hazardous waste, destroying wildlife habitats, and other similar behaviours. Given that these acts have detrimental effects on the environment, society, and economy, they must be swiftly addressed. According to a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, environmental crimes are becoming more widespread across the world. Up to 90% of the electronic waste (or "e-waste") produced worldwide is allegedly sold or disposed of illegally, according to the survey. The investigation shows that up to 40% of global industrial fishing catches are illegal. In addition, there is a lot of illicit logging, which causes substantial deforestation and biodiversity loss.