Latest news with #environmentalcrimes
The National
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The National
UAE-led operation sees 94 people arrested for environmental crimes in Amazon Basin
The UAE has led a major international crackdown on environmental crimes in the Amazon Basin, resulting in 94 arrests and the seizure of more than $64 million worth of assets. The 14-day effort was called Operation Green Shield, a multinational probe co-ordinated by the Emirates with Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Peru. Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, said authorities in the Amazon dismantled criminal networks accused of destroying protected ecosystems and shut down 350 criminal operations. The arrests were carried out under the UAE's Law Enforcement for Climate programme, which was launched at Cop28 in Dubai in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Climate leader It comes as part of the Emirates' wider push on climate action. In May, the UAE issued its climate law to establish a legal framework for climate resilience and greenhouse gas emissions accountability. And in June, leading figures gathered in the UAE to sound the alarm ahead of the next major round of UN climate talks at Cop30, in Brazil, set to take place in November. Majid Al Suwaidi, chief of climate investment vehicle Alterra, warned that the talks are up against 'significant challenges'. 'To date, only 15 updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) have been submitted,' Mr Al Suwaidi said. While the original deadline was February, a revised cut off in September is now the last window to submit updated pledges before Cop30 opens in Belem, Brazil, in November. Both Brazil and the UAE laid out robust NDCs ahead of the initial February deadline. History made At Cop28 in Dubai, held in November and December 2023, the historic UAE Consensus was agreed. The agreement calls for 'transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner … so as to achieve net zero by 2050 in keeping with the science'. President Sheikh Mohamed said the conference provided 'significant results' and vowed to push ahead in search of a 'more sustainable future for our planet'. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, also hailed the success of the conference. 'The conference has set new standards in climate action and solidified the UAE's position as a key player in building a sustainable future for the planet,' he said. Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Cop28 President, said it was a 'historic agreement' but was only as good as its 'implementation'. 'We are what we do, not what we say,' he said. 'We must take the steps necessary to turn this agreement into tangible action.'
Khaleej Times
08-07-2025
- Khaleej Times
UAE arrests 94 suspects for environmental crimes in $64-million crackdown in Amazon basin
The UAE led a major international crackdown on environmental crimes in the Amazon Basin, resulting in the arrest of 94 individuals and the seizure of assets worth over $64 million. In a post on social media platform X, Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the country's Minister of Interior noted that the arrests were part of Operation 'Green Shield', a 14-day multinational effort spearheaded by the UAE in coordination with Colombia, Brazil, Peru, and Ecuador. The operation was conducted under the UAE's global initiative, Law Enforcement for Climate (I2LEC), launched in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) during the COP28 climate conference held in Dubai in 2023.
Al Arabiya
26-06-2025
- Al Arabiya
Philadelphia's Schools Accused of Failing to Properly Inspect Asbestos in Buildings
Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged Philadelphia's public schools with failing to properly inspect eight schools for damaged asbestos. The district agreed to have the criminal case deferred while it pays for a court-supervised monitor to keep tabs on its response. Prosecutors said it was the first time a school district in the US has faced such environmental criminal allegations. The district is charged with eight counts of violating the federal Toxic Substances Control Act for allegedly failing to perform inspections in a timely manner during a recent five-year period. Authorities said a judge must approve the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, which avoids a grand jury indictment. If the school district complies with the relevant federal law, the government can eventually drop the charges. About 300 of the school district's aging set of 339 buildings contain asbestos, the US attorney's office said in a release. Asbestos, a construction material in wide use until the 1980s, has been linked to cancer and lung disease. Investigators said some asbestos was improperly addressed and that schools have had to close as a result of asbestos problems. Prosecutors said the longstanding and widespread problem put students and teachers in danger. The deferred prosecution agreement says the school system has already improved policies, procedures, and compliance regarding asbestos inspections and abatement. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. told The Philadelphia Inquirer the deferred prosecution agreement is a sign of the district's progress in addressing the problem. He noted the district will train workers on asbestos management as part of the deal.
Associated Press
26-06-2025
- Associated Press
Philadelphia's schools accused of failing to properly inspect asbestos in buildings
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Federal prosecutors on Thursday charged Philadelphia's public schools with failing to properly inspect eight schools for damaged asbestos. The district agreed to have the criminal case deferred while it pays for a court supervised monitor to keep tabs on its response. Prosecutors said it was the first time a school district in the U.S. has faced such environmental criminal allegations. The district is charged with eight counts of violating the federal Toxic Substances Control Act for allegedly failing to perform inspections in a timely manner during a recent five-year period. Authorities said a judge must approve the terms of the deferred prosecution agreement, which avoids a grand jury indictment. If the school district complies with the relevant federal law, the government can eventually drop the charges. About 300 of the school district's aging set of 339 buildings contain asbestos, the U.S. attorney's office said in a release. Asbestos, a construction material in wide use until the 1980s, has been linked to cancer and lung disease. Investigators said some asbestos was improperly addressed and that schools have had to close as a result of asbestos problems. Prosecutors said the 'longstanding and widespread problem' put students and teachers in danger. The deferred prosecution agreement says the school system has already improved policies, procedures and compliance regarding asbestos inspections and abatement. Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. told The Philadelphia Inquirer the deferred prosecution agreement is a sign of the district's progress in addressing the problem. He noted the district will train workers on asbestos management as part of the deal.
BBC News
08-06-2025
- BBC News
Crimestoppers campaign to crack down on Northampton graffiti
A town has adopted a "zero-tolerance approach" to graffiti in an effort to deal with its "escalating issue", Crimestoppers has said. The charity said a four-week campaign had started in Northampton to tackle the problem. It was working with Fearless, its youth service, and West Northamptonshire Council, which has increased the maximum fine for graffiti and other environmental crimes to £500. "Graffiti is not only an act of vandalism - it undermines community pride, damages both public and private property, and can foster a sense of unease among residents and visitors," the charity added. The campaign encourages residents to report graffiti anonymously through the charity, and it is being advertised across social media and transport to raise awareness. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
