Wildlife crimes - like rhino poaching or overfishing-were once considered a “green” matter. But this has changed. Such crimes have moved higher up on global security and policy agendas. This is partly linked to concerns about the extinction of species and the demise of ecosystems. It’s also been caused by the involvement of organised criminal networks in illegal wildlife supply chains.

Rhino poaching has particularly attracted public attention. A lot of protective and controlling national and international measures aimed at preventing the consumer markets and criminal networks that allow the trade to flourish have failed. The problem is that such approaches almost deal with wildlife crime’s signs rather than its root causes: a conflict over access to land, resources and benefits.

The reality is that wildlife conservation continues to benefit economic and political elites. Local communities remain mostly excluded from real benefits, and conservation often comes at a huge cost to them. They lose their land, access to natural resources and cultural sites. They have limited agency and ownership of areas and management. Often the only benefits for communities from wildlife and conservation come from the poaching profits.

Instead of recognising local people as important change agents in wildlife conservation, conservationists are calling for more boots on the ground, helicopter gunships and new technologies. Money is spent on security officials and private investigators. Expensive technologies are brought in to deter poachers.

Some scholars have started to look at the root causes of environmental and wildlife crimes by considering broader economic, political and systemic factors. Their assessment is that community empowerment is key. This will not only address basic inequality and poverty, but can reduce wildlife crime and other types of crime. This is borne out by Namibia’s experiences: there, former poachers have become wildlife guardians. Local communities may become protectors of wildlife and conservation areas if they were granted agency, ownership and benefits.

Although not perfect, the example of communal conservation areas in Namibia provides fascinating insights into the process of encouraging communities. One thing is clear: we need to create happy sustainable communities that benefit from and live in harmony with ecosystems.