Environmental crime is one of Europe's biggest challenges. The third largest criminal activity after drug trafficking and counterfeiting, it is growing by five to seven percent every year. LIFE SWEAP is leading the fight against this growing threat.

From wildlife smuggling to illegal waste dumping, environmental crime has quickly become one of Europe's biggest headaches. Data from the Council of the European Unionshows that in 2022 alone, police across Europe seized almost 350,000 tonnes of illegal waste and around €15 million in property related to environmental crime

LIFE SWEAP  was set up in 2018 to strengthen training for law enforcement agencies fighting illegal waste trade across the EU. “Chemicals and waste such as pesticides, ozone-depleting substances, plastic waste and e-waste have a serious impact on our water, soil, air and ultimately our health,” says Nancy Isarin, Senior Manager for Communications and Networking at LIFE SWEAP. “Strong and capable law enforcement authorities at borders are key to preventing the negative impacts of the illegal trade in these commodities.” (More on cinea.ec.europa.eu)