Baker Regulatory highlights why wildlife and environmental crime is not just a conservation crisis

Last week, law firm Baker & Partners and Baker Regulatory hosted a powerful evening of thought-provoking discussion to highlight the global crisis of environmental crime and illegal wildlife trafficking. Now the fourth-largest illegal trade worldwide, after arms, drugs, and human trafficking, the trade is consistently linked to serious organised crimes such as money laundering, fraud, and corruption.

In collaboration with Durrell, the event brought together filmmakers, wildlife investigators, conservationists, and regulatory professionals. Their aim was to help raise awareness of the vital role financial services authorities and regulators in Jersey can play in the collective effort to combat international corruption and support global conservation efforts.

The event featured emotive presentations from wildlife filmmakers Justin Purefoy from City Fox Films and Jackie Savery from Maramedia, wildlife investigator Daniel Stiles, and Durrell’s Zoological Director Matt Goetz. Alongside Baker Regulatory’s Managing Director, Zoe Dixon-Smith, the speakers highlighted how wildlife and environmental crime is not only a conservation crisis, but also one of the most profitable and prolific forms of organised crime.

Due in part to weaker oversight and limited financial or criminal consequences, these crimes are now outgrowing many other illegal trades, estimated to be worth up to US$481 billions annually, as organised crime groups move toward low-risk, high-reward operations.

Zoe Dixon Smith said:

“We’re incredibly grateful to our guest speakers and to Durrell for helping Baker Regulatory raise awareness of the escalating crisis of wildlife and environmental crime and the critical role financial services and authorities play in combating it.

While these crimes may not originate or end in tightly regulated jurisdictions like Jersey, we remain vulnerable to their ripple effects, such as money laundering from associated organised crimes.

While these crimes may not originate or end in tightly regulated jurisdictions like Jersey, we remain vulnerable to their ripple effects, such as money laundering from associated organised crimes.

This event helped us raise awareness and highlight that the fight against environmental crime demands collaboration across conservationists, governments, NGOs, law enforcement, financial institutions, and regulatory bodies. We all have a role to play.”

To find out how Baker Regulatory support financial services businesses in identifying and mitigating the risks linked to environmental and wildlife crime please contact Zoe Dixon Smith.