Methodological challenges in empirical research on environmental crimes

Green criminology is still considered a relatively new area of research, gaining momentum among scholars in the 2000s. Despite the increasing attention it has received in recent years, there remains a notable scarcity of quantitative studies in this field, especially when compared to qualitative research. This deficiency in quantitative research can be partly attributed to the methodological challenges in conducting empirical research on environmental crimes discussed in this chapter. The chapter begins by outlining the primary research methods commonly employed in the study of environmental crimes. It then delves into the key methodological challenges that impact empirical research in this area, highlighting how these challenges may hinder quantitative research, while also affecting the production of qualitative research. Despite these challenges, recent developments in quantitative research on environmental crimes suggest potential pathways forward that warrant further exploration to better understand and address the potential future consequences of environmental issues.