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News from the Nature Crime Alliance, April 2025

Posted on April 25, 2025May 6, 2025

New resources to support the fight against nature crime

A set of new resources created by the Nature Crime Alliance Secretariat aims to support law enforcement and civil society organisations working on crimes such as wildlife trafficking, land grabbing, and illegal forms of mining, logging, and fishing.

Developed through consultations and support from members of the Alliance, the resources include a new Wildlife Expert Directory that provides access to experts on specific species and ecosystems to support wildlife crime investigations; an Index of Tools that offers an organised catalogue of the latest digital technologies, tools and datasets that can support efforts to counter nature crime; and a Knowledge Database that brings the latest research, reports and insights on nature crime together in one place, providing a wealth of information at the click of a button. The database will be of particular use to those working in the policy, investigations, and research spaces.

People, Planet, Justice: Understanding and Countering Nature Crime

Dr Charles ‘Chip’ Barber, Director of the Nature Crime Alliance, has written a World Resources Institute (WRI) Insights article that highlights the impact of nature crime, and sets out five key approaches that can bolster the global response to this challenge. The article distills the findings of a new WRI report that Chip has also authored.

Read the article View the report

Watch: Meet the Nature Crime Alliance webinar

The illicit trade in Myanmar teak and a new resource to tackle financial crime linked to environmental crime were some of the issues explored in the latest ‘Meet the Nature Crime Alliance’ webinar.

Marcello De Maria, Project Manager, WWF-UK, unpacked the recently-launched Environmental Crimes Financial Toolkit – an online platform that assists financial institutions in monitoring risks related to nature crimes such as illegal deforestation, land conversion, and wildlife trafficking. We also heard from Julian Newman and Kate Klikis from the Environmental Investigation Agency, who explored how Myanmar teak – a highly sought-after timber used for furniture and luxury yacht decking – continues to enter the US and EU markets despite measures to prevent this illegal trade.

Watch the webinar

Indigenous Peoples knowledge exchange aims to empower frontline defenders

Forest monitoring technologies and the value of information networks were central to a recent Indigenous Peoples knowledge exchange, organised by the Nature Crime Alliance Secretariat. More than 20 representatives from 11 Indigenous Peoples organisations joined the session, aimed at supporting and empowering frontline defenders. It was convened as part of the Nature Crime Alliance’s Working Group for Indigenous People and Frontline Defenders, organised in partnership with Indigenous Peoples’ Rights International (IPRI).

Alliance Secretariat supports major conference on financial crime linked to nature crime

The Nature Crime Alliance Secretariat participated in a major summit aimed at furthering knowledge on environmental crime and related money laundering. Lynn Schlingemann, Senior Associate, Financial Crime and Corruption, Nature Crime Alliance, chaired the conference: ‘Clean Earth, Clean Money: Unmasking Environmental Crimes and Money Laundering’, which was organised by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Latvia in partnership with the FIU of Iceland.

IUCN resolution motion on nature crime

The Alliance Secretariat has supported a group of members in pursuing a new omnibus resolution motion on nature crime ahead of the IUCN World Conservation Congress in October 2025. Led by WRI, with support from other Alliance members WCS and the National Whistleblower Center, the motion—if adopted—would be a pivotal step in elevating political will for stronger action against nature crime. The motion would also complement ongoing efforts to integrate nature crime as a core priority in the IUCN 2026-2029 programme of work and its 20-year vision. A wide range of Alliance members have been engaged at different levels of this process. For more information, please contact Elodie Perrat, Senior Government Engagement Manager, at: elodie.perrat@wri.org

Government officials briefed on wildlife crime

The Alliance Secretariat participated in a wildlife crime information session in New York aimed at policymakers working on this issue at the UN. Co-chaired by Germany and Gabon, with coordination by Wildlife Justice Commission, the session brought together wildlife crime experts to share insights on this critical issue. Ruth Nogueron, Senior Associate, WRI, represented the Secretariat in the meeting, which took place ahead of World Wildlife Day. Ruth emphasised how local communities are invaluable in the gathering of field intelligence, and shared a case study demonstrating the value of investigative journalism in tackling these crimes.

Building a Nature Crime Communications Network

Several Alliance members joined the first meeting of the ‘Building a Nature Crime Communications Network’, which took place on 24 March. Chaired by Andrew Marshall, Chief of Communications and Marketing at WRI, this network aims to improve coordination and collaboration among communicators working on this issue. The discussion covered members’ challenges when it comes to communicating on nature crime; tools and resources that could help overcome these challenges; and potential collaboration on campaigns. The group also discussed aligning on messaging ahead of key international meetings. For more information, please contact Luke Foddy, Communications Manager, at luke.foddy@wri.org

Raising awareness of nature crime at European fora

Lynn Schlingemann, Senior Associate, Financial Crime and Corruption, Nature Crime Alliance, spoke on a panel at the event, ‘Environmental Crime: Five years for the EU to turn the tide!’, held at the European Parliament in March. Lynn discussed ways for better leveraging public and private sector efforts to prevent environmental crime and promote sustainable economies. The event was organised by UNODC, TRAFFIC, WWF and the Spanish Guardia Civil. Lynn also participated in the Villars Summit in March, and joined a workshop on the illegal wildlife trade convened by the Royal Foundation and Villars Institute.

News from the Alliance

UNICRI report highlights illicit mining challenge in Southeast Asia

The UN Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute (UNICRI) has published new research on illicit mining activities in Southeast Asia. The report, ‘Crimes Associated with Critical Minerals in Southeast Asia: Trends, Challenges and Solutions’, highlights how the growing demand for minerals such as nickel, tin, rare earth elements, and cobalt is creating opportunities for organised crime. These threats are compounded by insufficient traceability mechanisms, legal and institutional gaps, and limited enforcement capacity. The report calls for enhanced financial investigations, increased support for law enforcement, and expanded research to address this evolving threat landscape. Read more

Washington Post spotlights Earth League International’s investigations into jaguar trafficking

The work of Earth League International in tackling the smuggling of jaguar parts in Suriname has been showcased in a Washington Post feature. The article highlights the convergence of wildlife crime with narcotics trafficking, including fentanyl, and includes insights from ELI Founder, Andrea Crosta. Read more

Surging gold price is fueling environmental crime and violence in Colombia, FACT Coalition analysis shows

A new article from FACT Coalition demonstrates the link between soaring global gold prices and security challenges in Colombia. The analysis highlights how the global surge in gold prices not only drives illegal mining but also underscores the broader challenge of illicit finance fueling conflict, and presents security risks to other countries, including the US. Read more

Lilongwe Wildlife Trust featured in Nat Geo Wild series

The Lilongwe Wildlife Trust‘s conservation efforts are the focus of the second season of ‘Malawi Wildlife Rescue’, which is now airing on Nat Geo Wild. The series, which is filmed at Lilongwe Wildlife Centre, follows the Trust’s work to protect wildlife in the country. Read more

Tackling Crime Convergence: The Amazon Challenge

Several Alliance members are participating in a plenary session on 29 April which will focus on environmental crimes in the Amazon, and how they are interconnected with other forms of serious organised crime. Convened by the Countering Environmental Corruption Practitioners Forum, the session will feature experts from TRAFFIC, Igarapé Institute, the Basel Institute on Governance, and WWF Brazil. Read more

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