The CITES treaty, nearing 50 years old, is the primary global instrument regulating international trade in wild plants and animals to prevent overexploitation. However, its species listing process is outdated, relying on narrow biological and trade criteria without formally assessing the real conservation impacts of listings. This simplistic approach often leads to ineffective or even counterproductive outcomes, as it ignores socio-economic factors, local livelihoods, and complex trade dynamics. The authors argue for reforming CITES by:
- Establishing formal mechanisms to evaluate the consequences of listing decisions,
- Broadening listing criteria beyond biology and trade to include socio-economic impacts, and
- Increasing the involvement of local communities in decision-making. These changes would make CITES listings more adaptive, context-sensitive, and effective in conserving wildlife amid today’s complex global trade and conservation challenges.
