Demand reduction to combat illegal trade

© CITES Secretariat

In the context of CITES, demand reduction refers to efforts to discourage and prevent the use or consumption of illegally acquired wild animals and plants that are included in the CITES Appendices, especially through behaviour change interventions.

Demand reduction complements law enforcement efforts and measures to support the livelihoods of rural communities, in combatting  illegal trade in CITES-listed species.

At its 17^th meeting (Johannesburg, 2016), the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17) adopted Resolution Conf. 17.4 on Demand reduction strategies to combat illegal trade in CITES-listed species. The Resolution urges CITES Parties to develop and implement well-targeted, evidence-based, species-specific, country-specific demand reduction interventions to more effectively bring about consumer behaviour change.

At its 19th meeting (Panama City, 2022), the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP19) urged Parties to make full use of the CITES guidance on demand-reduction strategies to combat illegal trade in CITES-listed species. The guidance sets out a five-step approach based on behaviour-change science to more effectively deliver impact on the ground. Since CoP19, efforts have been made to promote the use of the Guidance through regional training seminars and pilot projects in various regions.