總部設於倫敦的非營利組織「環境調查協會」（Environmental Investigation Agency）指出，據該位暗中訪查，顯示出跨國間環境犯罪組織問題日益嚴重，深具威脅。該會14日於奧地利聯合國會議中對跨國組織犯罪提出聲名，呼籲採取緊急行動。
環境犯罪不僅違法，更直接傷害環境，常見犯罪活動包括：非法貿易野生動物、走私破壞臭氧層或促使全球暖化的管制物質、非法交易有毒廢棄物、盜漁、盜伐以及相關交易。
「環境調查協會」從事24年的秘密調查，已清楚勾勒出環境犯罪的事實，然而近年來環境犯罪卻愈具組織化，手法更趨純熟甚至建立跨國網絡，走私非法貨品藉以洗錢。
聯合國毒品暨犯罪辦公室（UN Office on Drugs and Crime）執行長哥斯大（Antonio Mario Costa）在環境調查協會報告中指出「在氣候變遷與環境永續議題重要的現今，竟有人利用破壞環境來牟利。這並不是無受害者犯罪，相反的正因為我們共享同個星球，環境被破壞後，受害的將會是每個人。」
有鑑於聯合國需要更多受過訓練的反貪污專員，國際刑事警察組織 (Interpol) 首長諾貝爾（Ron Noble）與哥斯大合作，於10月14日宣布國際反貪污學校（International Anti-Corruption Academy）設立。
明年秋天，奧地利將啟用一位於維也納附近的盧森堡（Laxenburg）專門學院，專攻反貪污教育、研究、與專業訓練。環境調查協會藉此希望能有效打擊常與環境犯罪扯上邊的賄賂問題。「對在企業任職的員工以及掌權的官員們來說，環境犯罪正是賺進大把鈔票的好機會。」
「環境調查協會」要求政府、警察、海關與聯合國各部會正視組織化環境犯罪問題，共同賀昨達到「實質、穩定而永續的全球性回應行動。」
Organized environmental crime is a serious and growing threat across the world, according to a new report by the undercover Environmental Investigation Agency. The London-based NGO today presented its report to a United Nations meeting on transborder organized crime in Vienna with an urgent call for action.
Environmental crimes are illegal acts which directly harm the environment, and include the illegal trade in wildlife, smuggling of ozone-depleting and global-warming substances, illicit trade in hazardous waste, illegal fishing, illegal logging and the associated trade in stolen timber.
EIA, which has exposed environmental crime using undercover methods for 24 years, says its recent experience indicates environmental criminals are becoming more organized, building up networks to operate across international frontiers and using sophisticated techniques to move illegal goods around the world and launder the proceeds.
Antonio Mario Costa, executive director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, spoke at the launch of EIA's report. "At a time when climate change and environmental sustainability are such high priorities, it is shocking to think that there are criminals profiting from the destruction of our planet. This is not a victimless crime. On the contrary. Since we share one planet, damage to the environment anywhere in the world hurts us all," said Costa.
Saying that the UN system needs to train more skilled people to fight corruption, Costa and Interpol chief Ron Noble today announced the joint establishment of the International Anti-Corruption Academy.
The new academy will open next autumn in Laxenburg just outside Vienna, specializing in anti-corruption education, research, and professional training. The EIA hopes it will make a difference in combating organized environmental crime, which is often linked with corruption. "Individuals in corporate or official positions of authority and power view environmental crime as a chance to cash in."
The EIA is urging governments, police forces, customs and United Nations agencies to recognize environmental crime as a serious time-critical problem, and work together to mount a "substantial, committed and sustained global response."
作者
In my healing journey and learning to attain the breath awareness, I become aware of the reality that all the creatures of the world are breathing the same breath. Take action, here and now. From my physical being to the every corner of this out of balance's planet.
