Europol has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Centre for Climate Crime Analysis (CCCA) to increase efforts to combat environmental crimes.
In their efforts to combat environmental crimes, the two organisations will particularly focus on those crimes that have a direct impact on climate change, including activities related to air pollution and illegal deforestation as covered by the European Union Timber Regulation.
The memorandum of understanding establishes a framework of collaboration and exchanges of knowledge between the two organisations in the case of projects of common interest, and also includes a pledge by Europol and the CCCA to jointly pursue action to combat environmental crimes.
What will the collaboration involve?
The CCCA is an international non-profit organisation of law enforcement officials which provides relevant authorities with information and analysis, in order to catalyse and support the investigation and prosecution of climate crimes.
By working together with Europol, which represents EU member states in fighting against international crime and undertakes intelligence and investigative work, the CCCA hopes to increase the scope of efforts to prevent climate and environmental crimes.
What have the stakeholders said?
The memorandum of understanding was signed in The Hague, the Netherlands, by the head of Europol’s Serious and Organised Crime Centre, Jari Liukku, and the chair of the CCCA’s board of directors, Reinhold Gallmetzer.
Liukku welcomed the agreement, announcing that it would significantly improve Europol’s capacity to investigate and combat environmental crimes. He stated: “Fighting environmental crimes is a priority of Europol’s work… We aim to make use of [CCCA’s] know-how and its network of non-governmental organisations and individuals … to enhance its support to European national authorities in addressing environmental crimes.”
Gallmetzer added: “Law enforcement regards environmental crimes, especially those that have an impact on climate change, to be among the most serious and consequential crimes. Law enforcement can significantly contribute to the global efforts to achieve the emission mitigation objectives of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.”
