EU Cracks Down on Environmental Crime, Worth Billions

INTERPOL estimates environmental crime generates between 100 to 250 billion euros annually worldwide, making it the fourth most profitable organized crime after drugs, weapons, and counterfeiting. A new EU directive expands the list of punishable environmental offenses from nine to twenty, aiming to address issues like illegal waste trafficking, poaching, and pollution. Previously, responses to these crimes were fragmented and ineffective, but the directive seeks to harmonize legal protections and ensure penalties are dissuasive.

The directive also emphasizes cross-border cooperation, recognizing that environmental damage often transcends national boundaries. However, successful implementation relies on dedicated resources and political will within each member state to avoid uneven enforcement.

The ECOFORCE project, funded by the EU, is working alongside authorities to strengthen operational capacity in applying the new directive. It focuses on developing shared methodologies, data collection tools, and cooperative mechanisms to improve the investigation and prosecution of environmental crimes.