Environmental Crimes Newsletter: Spring 2025
Read the latest edition of FACT’s biannual Environmental Crimes Newsletter, a round-up of recent news regarding efforts to combat environmental crimes and the dirty money associated with them.
A Deadly Gold Rush: How Soaring Prices Fuel Colombia’s Guerrilla Warfare
As gold prices surge past $3,000 per troy ounce—a historic milestone driven by geopolitical turmoil, inflation fears, and a weakening U.S. dollar— the effects are being felt around the world and underscore the role that illicit finance and illegally extracted resources play in fueling conflicts.
Takeaways from COP16 on Efforts to Combat Environmental Crimes
Following two weeks of intense discussion, debate and exchange of ideas, read Julia Yansura’s key takeaways from COP 16 Biodiversity on efforts to tackle environmental crimes like illegal mining and logging.
FACT, Allies Call for New Policy Solutions to Address Illegal Gold Mining in Amazon at UN Biodiversity Conference
A new policy brief coauthored by FACT and leading civil society organizations from Peru, Colombia, and Brazil outlines seven key recommendations for governments to better address, mitigate, and prevent the harms caused by illegal mining in the Amazon region.
U.S. Top Jurisdiction Used by Environmental Criminals to Hide Dirty Money, New Report Finds
A new report by the FACT Coalition finds that the U.S. is the most common foreign destination for the products and proceeds of environmental crimes committed in the Amazon region.
FACT Applauds Announcement of Intergovernmental Initiative to Combat Illicit Finance and Nature Crimes
FACT welcomes the government’s commitment to targeting the proceeds of nature crimes like illegal mining and deforestation through the new Amazon Region Initiative Against Illicit Finance.