Martin Polaine & Arvinder Sambei were engaged by the UNODC Law Enforcement Assistance Programme (LEAP) to develop disruption options and toolkit for maritime crime and illegal deforestation.
Programme LEAP is a joint Interpol/UNODC/RHIPTO initiative to reduce illegal deforestation in order to address climate change and the achievement of the SDGs. The Programme has identified river and maritime transportation as a key part of the illegal deforestation supply chain and together with other experts seek to explore options to disrupt river and maritime transport of illegally cut wood.
According to the Programme, illegal deforestation is worth $US50-152 billion per year for organized crime groups. It causes forest degradation, loss of biodiversity, increased corruption, and human rights abuses. Forest loss ultimately accelerates climate change by contributing to an estimated 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions.