Event details

Date: Wednesday, 26 March 2025, 09:30 - 13:30 CET
Location: European Parliament, Paul-Henri Spaak building, Room 5B1 (in-person only)
Language: English
Hosts MEPs: Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN, Marie TOUSSAINT, Michal WIEZIK
Organizers: Spanish Guardia Civil, TRAFFIC, UNODC, WWF

Description of the event

Environmental crime, such as waste trafficking, wildlife crime, crimes in the mineral, forestry and fisheries sectors, poses a significant and growing threat to ecosystems, economies, and societies within Europe and globally. The European Union, in its new legislative term, committed to protecting nature, enhancing security, strengthening international partnerships, and securing impactful funding.

This event will highlight the urgency of tackling environmental crime, the sophisticated criminal networks behind it, and the necessary actions for stakeholders. Discussions will cover the EU’s policy, trade, security, and financial responses, emphasizing the effective implementation of the Environmental Crime Directive, the prioritization of environmental crime in EMPACT, and funding opportunities under the next EU budget.

Agenda (see detailed agenda here)

09:30 - 09:35: Welcome from the Master of Ceremony
09:35 -10:00: Opening speeches
10:00 - 10:45: Contextualisation: Addressing Environmental crime’s complex challenges through EU policy
10:45 - 11:00: Coffee break
11:00 - 11:45: Panel 1. From policy to action: Enforcing and strengthening EU’s ambition to combat environmental crime
11:45 - 12:40: Panel 2 - Resourcing EU’s ambition: Leveraging public and private sector efforts to prevent environmental crime and promote sustainable economies
12:40 -12:50: Closing remark
12:50-13h30: Walking lunch & networking

Key asks to EU decision-makers under the new legislative term:

Adequate human, technical and financial resources are provided to enforce the Environmental Crime Directive and other key EU legislation addressing sectors vulnerable to criminal activities, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation, the EU Waste Shipment Regulations, the EU Wildlife Trade Regulations and the Critical Raw Materials Act.
Environmental crime remains a priority in the next EMPACT Policy Cycle.
The post-2027 MFF provides increased financial support to the implementation of the EU policies and commitments on tackling environmental crime and ensuring sustainable use in natural resources both within and outside the EU.
EU laws ensure that companies uphold accountability and transparency along their supply chains while supporting competitiveness.

Environmental crime: Five years for the EU to turn the tide!