Environmental crimes the focus of new conference

According to the United Nations Environmental crime is often transnational in nature and involves organized crime activities such as trafficking in natural resources, the illegal trade in wildlife, illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and illegal exploitation of and trafficking in minerals and precious stones.

Environmental crime has fast become the most unpunished and growing concern both internationally & locally. The increase in cross border environmental crimes has made it extra difficult for government and law enforcement agencies to rectify the worsening situation. Where there are loopholes in the law or compliance penalty measures, criminals exploit the gaps.

The global environment is on a slippery slope and environmental degradation is on the increase. There are currently requirements for deep discussions and understandings of the extent and trends of environmental crimes in South Africa.

Environmental crimes are often seen in a number of sectors, water, labour, health, agriculture and minerals. The investigations into these crimes forces departments with different mandates to interlink. The conference will expand on the nature of these environmental crimes, their impacts on the economy at large, best practices to combating these crimes and present strategies to challenges experienced by law enforcement agencies in South Africa.

Environmental sustainability and the effective control of environmental crimes have an impact on environmental key goals for policy action. Understanding environmental sustainability requires an integration of strict methods and principles into the everyday practice of environmental management.

This event also aims to presenting delegates with complete properly researched methods of combating environmental crimes.

Broadly this conference will also express new methods and theories to tackle cross border environmental infringements.

Details:

• 27 - 28 February 2014 - Michelangelo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa

Benefits of attending

• Understand compliance and enforcement of environmental regulations and prosecution in South Africa
• Identifying the role of multilateral environmental agreements in combating environmental crimes
• Building up and creating a better co-ordination of data and databases
• Absorb the development of practical solutions to key environmental crime problems
• Share expertise and provide recommendations on establishing suitable tools that will assist countries to full environmental compliance
• Case Studies and examples of environmental crimes (illegal emission of hazardous substances into the air, water or soil)
• Study the overview of possible environmental tax legislation in South Africa
• Establish the relevant legislation available dealing with environmental crimes
• Learn the intelligence approach to combating crimes against the environment

Panel of speakers

• Mariette Liefferink: CEO at The Federation for a Sustainable Environment
• Linda Ndlela: Head of Environmental Management Systems and Audit Environmental Resource Management Department
• City of Cape Town Advocate MP Monyapao: Directorate of Environmental Compliance and Enforcement
• Limpopo Economic Development Environment & Tourism
• Rynette Coetzee: Project Executant at Endangered Wildlife Trust
• Dr. Jo Barnes: Epidemiologist at University of Stellenbosch
• Hlengiwe Mbatha: Conservation Biologist at Endangered WildLife Trust
• Melissa Strydom van Dyk: Senior Associate at Bowman & Gilfillan
• Keith Anderson: Chairman of eWaste Association of South Africa

Download the full brochure here or registration form here.