Enforcement Powers of the United Nations Security Council: Enforcement Regimes for the Protection of Animals in Wartime

The United Nations Security Council has the authority to adopt binding decisions and to authorise military means to ensure international peace and security. Whereas the Security Council is not typically associated with animal protection, wildlife issues have become an international security concern. Wildlife poaching and trafficking of wildlife products finance criminal networks and armed groups. The Security Council has adopted several resolutions addressing wildlife poaching and trafficking as commodities with implications on international security. Poaching and trafficking of wildlife have also been met with militarised anti-poaching enforcement – on a few occasions in cooperation with United Nations Peacekeeping forces. The militarised responses may contribute to protect wildlife, but they also risk escalating the violence affecting local communities. The chapter argues that the Security Council needs to address wildlife poaching and trafficking broadly, resorting to binding decisions. It should authorise military means only as a last and temporary resort.