Project Leaf, an initiative by Interpol and the United Nations (UN) to tackle global forest crime will target criminals involved in illegal logging and timber trafficking. Source: BBC News, Wood & Panel Europe
The initiative gets its name from the Law Enforcement Assistance for Forests (LEAF) and is a partnership between the UN Environment Programme (Unep) and Interpol, with funding provided by the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
The scheme will provide support to enforcement agencies in countries with the biggest problems according to Interpol.
It is estimated that more than a quarter of the world’s population relies on forests for their livelihoods, fuel, food and medicines.
David Higgins, Interpol’s Environmental Crime Programme manager, said that illegal logging was no longer an issue that was restricted by national boundaries.
“Project leaf will ensure these global laws are supported by global enforcement and that the criminals responsible are brought to justice – no matter their location, movements or resources,” he said.
