Our forests are being ravaged by illegal logging
Forests are vital for life on Earth, from storing carbon and stabilising the climate, to providing fresh water, clean air, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people. But illegal logging and rampant timber trafficking are endangering this essential resource.
Organised criminal networks are increasingly involved in a multi-billion-dollar illicit industry that is plundering the world’s remaining rainforests, accelerating climate change, and pushing entire ecosystems towards collapse.
The Amazon rainforest, once a powerful carbon sink and a sanctuary of biodiversity, now emits more carbon than it absorbs — largely due to illegal deforestation driven by environmental crime. An estimated 50–90% of all timber harvested in the Amazon is illegal. This exploitation is pushing iconic tree species toward extinction, destroying habitats, and fuelling a cascade of other crimes, from corruption and fraud to drug and wildlife trafficking.
These forests are not just trees; they are home, healers, and habitat to countless species and communities. Losing them means losing climate stability, medicinal potential, and the very fabric of global biodiversity.
A criminal industry with global consequences for the environment
Timber trafficking is low-risk and high-reward for transnational organised crime. These networks operate with near impunity, using fraudulent permits, bribery, and forged documents to launder illegal wood into legal markets. Their profits often fund other serious crimes, making timber trafficking not just an environmental issue, but a security threat.
As with other forms of environmental crime, meaningful disruption requires targeting the top of the supply chain — the networks orchestrating and profiting from destruction.
How we fight timber trafficking
The Wildlife Justice Commission works to disrupt wildlife, fisheries, and timber crime, dismantle criminal networks, encourage the growth of political will to combat these problems, and build tomorrow’s sustainable solutions. To protect vulnerable species from exploitation, we:
- conduct intelligence-led investigations
- bridge the intelligence gap with intelligence analysis
- share intelligence and investigative findings with governments and stakeholders
- build sustainable solutions through training and mentoring
- urge governments to act
Donations made to the Wildlife Justice Commission are tax-deductible under Dutch law, as we have ANBI status. EU citizens can also make their contributions tax-deductible. See our Donate section for more details on how you can help us to fight transnational organised wildlife crime. Donating from the USA? Click here.
