Experts Gather at UCC to Address Environmental Crime at ENPE Conference

Prominent Speakers Highlight Key Issues in Environmental Crime at ENPE Conference

The European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment (ENPE) held its annual conference in Cork on October 10-11, 2024 with the agenda to promote the enforcement of environmental criminal law by supporting the operational work of ecological prosecutors. The Centre for Law & the Environment at the School of Law and the Environmental Research Institute expressed its honor and delight in hosting this prestigious event at University College Cork (UCC).

The theme of the conference was "Environmental Crime: Co-operation to Ensure Effective Prosecution” and highlighted the urgent need to work towards formulating strict laws to safeguard our environment. It provided a platform for presenting, sharing, and discussing various approaches to combating environmental crime, with contributions from the judiciary, government, academia, and international networks from across Europe and the United States, making a total of 24 countries attending the conference.

The main plenary sessions took place in the historic Aula Maxima at UCC on October 10, 2024, following the formal opening of the proceedings by ENPE President Anne Brosnan, Professor John O’Halloran, President of University College Cork (UCC), who delivered the welcome address. The opening keynote was presented by Catherine Pierse, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and a UCC Law alumna from the class of 1994.

The plenary sessions during the conference addressed several significant contemporary developments, including the new directive on Environmental Crime, the role of Eurojust in supporting cross-border judicial cooperation with a special focus on environmental crime, and Project BIOVAL, a new indicative tool for compensating nature damage. Other topics included international initiatives to combat environmental crime, the perspective of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on enforcing environmental law in Ireland, and the establishment of the new Planning and Environment Division of the High Court of Ireland.

Members of the Centre for Law & the Environment contributed and invited presentations over the two days of the conference. Professor Áine Ryall spoke on "Tackling Environmental Crime: Insights from the Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss." Niamh Guiry, a postgraduate scholar at the School of Law UCC and an EPA-Irish Research Council Government of Ireland scholar, delivered an insightful presentation on "Wildlife Crime in Ireland: Enforcement Challenges and Opportunities." Additionally, Professor Mark Poustie and Professor Owen McIntyre led a breakout session on "Supporting Effective Enforcement," with UCC School of Law PhD candidate Julián Suárez Bohórquez serving as the session rapporteur.

The closing address was given by Professor Yvonne Scannell from Trinity College Dublin and the participants at the conference also had the opportunity to learn about University College Cork’s (UCC) strong commitment to sustainability through a tailored campus tour led by JP Quinn, Head of Visitor Services at UCC. The issue of environmental crime continues to inflict serious harm on the environment, human health, and the broader economy and society. This year's ENPE conference offered a timely platform to explore the most effective strategies for ensuring compliance with environmental laws. Special thanks were extended to Dr. Shaun Robinson, Project Manager and Secretariat of ENPE, and Professor Áine Ryall from UCC, who collaborated to organize and deliver a highly successful conference.

Editor's Note:

The Centre for Law & the Environment at University College Cork (UCC) proudly hosted the annual conference of the European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment (ENPE). This prestigious event brought together experts from various sectors to discuss pressing issues related to environmental crime and the enforcement of environmental laws. Participants had the opportunity to share insights, collaborate on solutions, and strengthen international ties in the fight against environmental crime. 

Skoobuzz commends all speakers, participants, and organizers for their contributions to making this event a tremendous success and addressing the pressing issue of environmental crime. The discussions highlighted the urgent need for stricter laws to ensure the protection of our environment.