International wildlife law: understanding and enhancing its role in conservation

The role of international legal instruments in biodiversity conservation has until now received relatively little attention in the conservation literature. Nevertheless, with their long-term, legally binding commitments on a transboundary scale, such instruments can be important, sometimes indispensable, implements in the conservation toolbox. After providing an overview of relevant instruments, we explore why international wildlife law matters, and what can and cannot be expected of it. We identify, on the one hand, the many different ways in which international legal instruments can deliver, and have delivered, conservation outcomes. On the other hand, we discuss the inherent limitations of international law, and provide illustrations of past achievements as well as failures. We conclude that it is worthwhile to continue to invest in making the most of international wildlife law for conservation by following an informed, selective approach. To that end, we issue a call for increased cooperation between international wildlife lawyers and other conservation professionals. There is much to be gained, partly by enhancing the legal framework itself, but especially by seizing the many opportunities for advancing the effective application of the law as it stands.