Some actions to improve national institutional frameworks include strengthened measures to facilitate information exchange, mutual legal assistance and joint investigation with other enforcement agencies; and the development of infrastructure needed to control borders and protect against illegal trade under MEAs, including tracking and information systems, customs codes and related arrangements with a view to:
- a) strengthening and promoting greater consistency in laws and practices; and
- b) providing easy identification of illegal identification of illegal shipment and prosecution of offenders.
For instance, Europol (the European Union law enforcement organisation), aims at improving the effectiveness and cooperation between the competent authorities of the Member States in preventing and combating serious international organised crime. One aspect of its mandate that bears direct relevance to environmental crime is “trafficking of radioactive and nuclear substances”. The mandate however “may be extended in the future to cover other forms of serious international crime”. Nonetheless, through its “Green Interpol” activities as well as expanding number of environmental cases decided by the Europe Community Courts (i.e., the Court of First Instance) and the Court of Justice of the European Community, the objective of strengthening and promoting greater consistency in environmental laws and practices in Europe is being largely realised.
As discussed following Guidelines 47(a)
and 47(b), international cooperation can greatly facilitate domestic enforcement efforts by establishing open and effective channels of communication to share information and exchange experiences. More broadly, such cooperation can include information exchange, mutual legal assistance, and joint investigations. For example, States can maintain up-to-date contact lists of relevant officials; regularly engage in discussions in bilateral regional, international forums or networks; negotiate extradition and mutual legal assistance treaties that expressly cover environmental violations; and identify areas of potential joint enforcement.