From illicit wildlife trafficking to unauthorized disposal of waste, environmental offenses have rapidly emerged as a major concern in Europe. Recent data reveals that law enforcement agencies confiscated nearly 350,000 tons of illicit waste and assets worth around EUR 15 million linked to environmental crimes in 2022 alone.
Established in 2018, the initiative aimed to enhance the training of law enforcement entities combatting the illicit waste trade within the EU. Nancy Isarin, the Senior Communications and Networking Officer at LIFE SWEAP, emphasizes the detrimental effects of chemicals and waste like pesticides, ozone-depleting substances, plastic waste, and electronic waste on various ecosystems and human health. She underscores the pivotal role of robust border enforcement authorities in averting the adverse consequences of trading these goods illegally.
As the project nears its conclusion, a significant event is scheduled to take place in May in The Hague, the Netherlands. LIFE SWEAP has achieved notable milestones, including over 35,000 waste shipment inspections facilitated by its innovative trans-frontier shipments (TFS) app launched in 2021. This technology enables seamless communication among law enforcement agencies in different countries.
Key deliverables of the project comprise an app, a database, and a toolkit developed by the consortium overseeing LIFE SWEAP’s operations.
Despite the project’s accomplishments, challenges persist. A recent meeting highlighted the pressing need to expand partnerships in combating environmental crimes and establish more national focal points and specialized units.
Georgios Raskos, the Head of Europol’s Organized Crime Unit, stressed the enduring obstacles in international cooperation tools, legal framework harmonization, and the lack of specialized units. LIFE SWEAP endeavors to sustain the TFS app post-project closure in June 2024 and explore its adaptation to address other environmental crimes such as illegal logging.
Noteworthy contributions of LIFE SWEAP include its involvement in a significant operation coordinated by the World Customs Organization (WCO), which uncovered 338 illicit waste shipments, including controlled substances and hazardous chemicals destined for Europe, Asia, and Africa.
The project collaborates closely with the Global Customs Institute (GCI) and recently launched the third and final phase to ensure compliance with waste shipment regulations.
An essential milestone for LIFE SWEAP was the successful negotiation between the European Council and the European Parliament to update waste shipment regulations based on recommendations from the project.
LIFE SWEAP plays a crucial role in the European Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan, and the Zero Pollution Action Plan, contributing significantly to environmental protection and sustainability efforts.