About: environmental crime

How environmental crime became an EU security priority for 2018-21

In May 2017, EU justice ministers decided that environmental crimes – including wildlife trafficking and waste crimes – would be one of the EU’s ten priorities for the fight against serious and organised crime during the 2018-21 policy cycle. Catherine Bearder evokes how this decision came to being.

Can we stamp out environmental crime?

More lucrative and less risky than many traditional criminal activities, environmental crime is growing largely unchecked. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l’Environnement reports.

EU, China to sign deal on curbing wildlife trafficking

The EU and China's State Forestry Administration are to sign an agreement today (18 July) to help combat the illegal trade of wildlife products, such as elephant and rhinoceros horns, the EU’s top environment official, Janez Poto?nik, has told EURACTIV.

Brussels to force implementation of EU green laws

The European Commission is preparing an EU strategy to improve implementation of the bloc's environmental rules, with plans including stricter inspections on the ground and a greater role for national judges in promoting compliance.

EU agrees to outlaw ‘green’ crimes

After eight years of negotiation, the European Parliament has reached an agreement with member states on legislation that will force national governments to apply criminal sanctions to those causing deliberate or negligent damage to the environment.

EU to update law criminalising pollution at sea

The Commission has tabled a revised version of an EU directive imposing criminal sanctions in cases of maritime pollution. The original proposal had to be modified following a European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling last year.

Court confirms EU right to criminalise pollution at sea

The Commission has the right to force member states to introduce criminal penalties for instances of maritime pollution such as the discharge of oil and other noxious substances from ships in EU waters. However, it does not have the power to fix the type and level of these penalties, stated a Europan Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling on 23 October.

Environmental crime

EU policy-makers have put in place legislation to ensure that sanctions are enforced against those causing deliberate or negligent damage to the environment, following eight years of negotiations. 

Commission to table controversial EU eco-crime law

A new proposal seeks to oblige member states to impose criminal sanctions for illegal emissions of pollutants into the air, water and soil to punish breaches of environmental law.

Commission has right to propose sanctions for environmental crimes

In a groundbreaking judgement for EU law in general, the ECJ decided on 13 September to annul the Council's 2003 Framework Decision on the protection of the environment through criminal law.

Commission set to gain new powers over ‘green crime’

EU ministers are awaiting a European Court of Justice verdict on Commission claims that a decision to harmonise sanctions against environmental crime should fall under the first pillar.

Parliament wants to criminalise serious breaches of EU law

On 3 September, MEPS adopted an own-initiative report on ensuring a better compliance with community law through recourse to criminal law.

Commission takes Council to Court over green crime

The Commission decided on 31 March to ask the European Court of Justice to annul the Framework Decision on environmental crime, adopted by the Council in January 2003.

Parliament wants to criminalise environmental misconduct

On 9 April 2002, the European Parliament adopted an opinion that supports the Commission's proposal to prosecute breaches of EU environmental law as criminal offences.

MEPs support proposal to sanction environmental crimes

On 21 March, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament adopted a report in favour of the Commission's proposal on environmental crime.