This week, global government representatives are gathering in Geneva for the 78th meeting of the Standing Committee of CITES, which stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is the primary international agreement managing wildlife trade, crucial for ensuring that such trade does not negatively affect the natural populations of various animal and plant species. As CITES approaches its 50th anniversary in 2025, recent studies indicate that it has not been effective in preventing illegal extraction and trade of many species. Researchers are suggesting a new framework for CITES, which could enhance its effectiveness by promoting sustainability through a detailed examination of wildlife trade systems and aligning CITES regulations with broader supply chain frameworks. This new approach also aims to ensure fairness and recognition from all parties involved.
Billions of people around the globe rely on wild species for food, livelihoods, and overall well-being. Ensuring long-term sustainability in the trade and utilization of these species is a crucial global objective, benefiting both conservation efforts and the livelihoods of those who depend on them. CITES serves as the cornerstone of international efforts to promote sustainable trade, currently protecting over 40,000 species of animals and plants, which is vital for preserving biodiversity.
Researchers from the University of Oxford conducted a comprehensive assessment of CITES’ effectiveness, inquiring whether the Convention is indeed addressing the issues it was designed to tackle. Their findings highlighted significant shortcomings in the CITES strategy, notably its heavy reliance on state-driven law enforcement to curb illegal trading and lack of detailed socio-economic considerations in decision-making processes. While CITES has raised awareness regarding overexploitation, it has not been successful in preventing extensive illegal wildlife trade, which involves many CITES-listed species across at least 162 countries.
Dr. Michael ‘t Sas-Rolfes, a co-author from the University of Oxford, points out, “The current strategy is ineffective for numerous species due to underfunded public agencies and a sense of disconnect from the laws, which many perceive as illegitimate. In some cases, simply banning international trade seems to worsen overexploitation, countering the intended outcome.”
Based on this evaluation, the researchers have proposed a new decision support tool for CITES, which is rooted in a thorough understanding of wildlife trade systems and advocates for inclusive and collaborative governance methods to update or redesign the regulations governing species trade and utilization.
Dr. Dan Challender, the study’s lead author, notes, “CITES decision-making currently assumes that an emphasis on state-led law enforcement is the optimal solution, yet this method is proving inadequate for numerous species across most regions. It’s time for CITES to evolve. There needs to be a greater emphasis on exploring diverse conservation models to reduce dependency on underfunded public agencies.”
Co-author Professor E.J. Milner-Gulland adds, “We need to shift away from discussions about whether to flatly ban international trade in species and focus on gaining a deeper understanding of wildlife trade systems. Interventions need to be evidence-driven, customized for specific species and trading contexts, and recognized as legitimate by involved parties. This may entail adjusting trade regulations for certain species and incorporating CITES measures within a broader institutional context.”
Unlike the current uniform method where many species under CITES face a standardized approach to trade regulation, the suggested framework allows for tailored interventions that cater to specific trade systems and aligns them with larger institutional frameworks, ensuring compatibility along international supply chains. These measures, grounded in solid evidence, could include:
- Transferring land and/or usage rights of species to indigenous peoples and local communities;
- Management and/or ownership of species by private entities;
- Initiatives to curb consumer demand;
- Creating responsible markets for wildlife products where it may benefit the species.
For instance, pangolins, a species group under threat from overexploitation and illegal international trade, could benefit from the proposed method. This approach may involve granting indigenous communities in West and Central Africa secure land tenure and usage rights over pangolins, provided this is proven to be sustainable, potentially enhancing long-term conservation efforts for the species. Current CITES trade recommendations suggest a ban and promote non-consumptive use of these creatures, despite their extraction and consumption being socially accepted in many local areas.
“By customizing interventions to specific trade systems and adopting cooperative governance, we can increase the legitimacy of new or revised laws among stakeholders within supply chains, leading to higher compliance rates,” explains Dr. Challender. “State-led law enforcement will still be necessary to some extent, however, community involvement in monitoring and well-defined property rights could reduce overreliance on state mechanisms.”
Professor Milner-Gulland emphasizes, “This refined strategy requires gathering and analyzing relevant data in partnership with local populations and officials at various levels, which is essential for making informed choices. The new framework enables integration of social, economic, and ecological evidence, boosting awareness of effective measures while avoiding unforeseen consequences of international policies.”
Through this method, the researchers are confident that CITES could fulfill its mission of protecting biodiversity while also supporting communities that depend on these essential resources, making international wildlife trade both legal and sustainable as the Convention steps into its 51st year. The researchers are collaborating closely with CITES signatory nations and the secretariat to develop this framework in a manner that aligns with their needs and potentially complements existing initiatives at both national and international spheres.
*The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was signed on March 3, 1973, and became effective on July 1, 1975.
