Environmental crime is among the world’s most profitable forms of organized crime and a serious threat to climate, nature, and people. Norway is now strengthening its cooperation with the UN and INTERPOL to combat illegal tropical deforestation.
Photo: Ida Wullum-Lindberg
‘We cannot save the rainforest if we allow illegal logging and other forms of forest crime to continue. Strengthened efforts both within and between countries are key’, said Minister of Climate and Environment Andreas Bjelland Eriksen.
Illegal Logging – A Global Environmental Threat
Nearly 90 percent of all deforestation in tropical areas occurs illegally. This environmental crime includes illegal logging, illegal gold mining, drug production, and trafficking of endangered species.
It is estimated that forest crime amounts to between 51 and 152 billion [KHE1] dollars annually, and is often closely linked to money laundering, corruption, and transnational organized crime.
‘Powerful networks are often behind illegal logging, making enormous profits. This is organized crime that crosses borders. Therefore, we must act together globally’, said Bjelland Eriksen.
Norway Supports Global Program Against Forest Crime
Norway is supporting the next phase of the global Law Enforcement Assistance Programme to Reduce Tropical Deforestation (LEAP) with up to 23 million dollars, approximately 234 million Norwegian kroner at today’s exchange rate. The funds will be disbursed over three years.
The program is led by the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and INTERPOL, and brings together police, customs, environmental authorities, prosecutors, and financial investigators to share information, carry out joint operations, and strengthen efforts to detect and prosecute forest crime.
LEAP will enter its third phase in 2026, and will focus its efforts particularly in Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador in the Amazon, as well as Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in Asia. Since much of this crime crosses borders, it is of special importance to strengthen cooperation between countries.
Photo: Ida Wullum-Lindberg
Coordinated Efforts Yield Results
Norway has supported the LEAP program in two phases since 2018.
Through improved investigations and cooperation between police and judicial systems, aided by the capacities of INTERPOL and UNODC, LEAP has led to successful actions against illegal logging, illegal gold mining, and extensive criminal networks. LEAP has shown that when countries act together, forest crimes can be stopped:
- The first phase of LEAP led to the seizure of more than 500 tonnes of illegal timber.
- In 2022 alone, INTERPOL and LEAP partners coordinated four global operations targeting illegal logging and wildlife crime, with over 1,000 timber seizures in 40 countries.
- Field operations led to the arrest of some 300 individuals and identified 25 new international illegal timber trade routes.
The next phase will build on the experiences and results achieved so far and will also strengthen efforts against illegal gold mining in Latin America. The recent action against illegal gold mining in the Brazilian Amazon, leading to the dismantling of hundreds of illegal dredges, was supported by LEAP efforts.
Main Goals for LEAP 3
LEAP is an action-oriented program that will strengthen forest countries’ efforts against forest crime by:
– Increasing and improving data collection, analysis, and information on illegal deforestation
– Strengthening operational capacity in forest countries to detect and prevent forest crime
– Enhancing capacity to investigate, prosecute, and bring forest crime to justice in tropical forest countries
– Strengthening follow-up particularly regarding illegal gold mining in Latin America