Miguel Ortega is Advisor at the Global Partnership on Drugs Policies and Development (GPDPD) implemented by GIZ. Miguel has master´s degree in Political Science and has worked as analyst and advisor for the colombian government on the design and implementation of drugs control strategies and Alternative Development Programms.

During the last years, international debates on the nexus between illicit drug economies, drug policy, and the environment have significantly evolved. The focus on the impacts of illicit drug crop cultivation and manufacture has shifted to a more comprehensive analysis, also shedding light on environmental harms. Other parts of the drug value chain, such as drug-trafficking in transit countries, are increasingly being linked to crimes that affect the environment (e.g. through money laundering).

Similarly, discussions on drug policy responses have developed beyond minimizing their environmental damage to a broader “embedding” of environmental considerations into drug policies. Particularly, evidence-based development- and human-rights oriented efforts have played a significant role in this. A good example is the enhanced awareness of the unsustainability of manual and aerial spraying in the context of forced eradication of illicit crops, and how this drug control measure may violate human rights related to a healthy environment. Instead of these outdated approaches to illicit drug crop cultivation, approaches that focus primarily on the sustainable development of a territory (economically, socially, environmentally) have gained more attention.

Like the harm reduction approach, this development approach is more than a political measure – in areas affected by illicit drug crops it might take the format of a social movement or a vision towards good territorial governance and improved human security. It needs to be considered outside the drug policy silo and aligned with environmental agendas (e.g. SDGs, Climate Change, Biodiversity),the empowerment of women as well as self-determination of indigenous peoples and local communities. Reviewing practical examples of the work of the Global Partnership on Drug Policies and Development (GPDPD) and its partners, this oral input aims to showcase the progress and challenges in development-oriented drug policy responses to further contribute to climate and social justice.