Regulatory Responses to Transnational Environmental Crime: An Overview of Choices, Challenges and Culture

This chapter considers the issue of law enforcement responses (LERs) to transnational environmental crime (TEC) with a particular focus on the role of environmental regulatory agencies as well as the range of operational and policy factors which inform and shape their enforcement responses. 1 The operational context involves a range of activities and responses which include the practical application of law enforcement and regulatory powers (or authorities) by government bodies. These are activities and responses that mainstream law enforcement agencies and environmental regulatory agencies associate with formal investigations undertaken as part of assessing allegations of criminal wrongdoing and serious non-compliance respectively. Policy includes the 'suite of documents, plans, programs, regulatory schemes, and strategies that provide for a coordinated, coherent response to, and support for' combating transnational environmental crime (Home 2013, p. 1).2 The aim of this chapter is to furnish environmental regulatory agencies with information, options, and strategies to more effectively detect, deter, and disrupt TEC. This research has particular relevance for environmental regulatory agencies, because, like all public service agencies, they seek efficiencies and effectiveness. This extends to and includes staff involved in environmental compliance and enforcement.