Green Policing, Prosecution and Court Adjudication

This paper explores the concept and practical implementation of green policing, prosecution and adjudication. Globally, police, prosecutors and courts have begun incorporating eco-friendly functions and operations as part of the effort to protect the environment. However, the implementation remains low. For instance, greening practices have not yet been entrenched as part of their strategic focus areas. To bridge this practice gap, greening investigations and arrests should include proactive upstream interventions to prevent the commission of environmental harms and crimes. Whenever environmental crimes occur, timely investigations and arrests are crucial. The arrests should be followed by prompt prosecution and efficient adjudication. In jurisdictions experiencing extensive environmental crimes and violations, establishing specialised investigation and prosecution offices and courts would yield a focused legal process. Furthermore, enhancing legal, policy and procedural reforms that govern policing, prosecution and adjudication is vital for practical greening. These reforms should be supported by embedding green values within personnel and having infrastructure standards that foster environmental responsibility. Integrating these efforts with eco-conscious technologies and heightened societal engagements would ensure swift remedies for environmental rights violations.