Tackling environmental crime: lessons from Europe

Researcher Dr. Anna Matczak (with the help of researcher Dr Sylvia I. Bergh of the Multilevel Regulation research group carried out a research project funded by Dutch Police & Science (Politie & Wetenschap), starting in September 2024. The project focused on capacity building for enforcement and detection of environmental crimes in Europe, with a specific focus on France, Spain and Sweden.

Results

The research has been completed. The report by Dr Anna Matczak has been published in the Politiewetenschap series by Politie & Wetenschap.

The Netherlands has an ambitious and sophisticated system for enforcing environmental crime, but it is structurally constrained. The report makes four recommendations to the Dutch police:

• Expand the knowledge base on environmental crime.
• Measure the impact and performance of environmental enforcement.
• Approach environmental crime investigations as a learning process that requires time and space.
• Strengthen international cooperation and training, within the EU and beyond.

The key message: expertise cannot be built overnight, nor through yet another reorganisation. Effective enforcement requires time and sustained investment.

The full report is available in Dutch and English and can be downloaded free of charge: download the report.

Why this project?

With the increasing focus on sustainability and the recent adoption of the EU Environmental Crime Directive, the need for effective enforcement of environmental legislation is more urgent than ever. The mission of the Dutch police is to promote a sustainable, healthy and safe living environment. This study contributes to this by learning from approaches in other European countries. 

Environmental crime, such as illegal waste dumping and pollution, is a growing threat to both the environment and society. This project focuses on improving the capacity of the Dutch police to effectively detect and enforce such crimes. 

Goal

The project aimed to support the Dutch police in improving its capacity for environmental enforcement. This was achieved by:

• Comparative research: Analysis of how police units in France, Spain and Sweden deal with environmental crime.
• Transfer of best practices: Translating insights into practical recommendations for the Dutch police.
• International cooperation: Stimulating knowledge exchange and cooperation between European partners.

Activities

The project included several research and cooperation activities:

• Fieldwork (January - March 2025):
  Visits to France, Spain and Sweden, with the researchers collaborating with renowned research centres and organisations: 
  • France: Centre de Recherches Sociologiques sur le Droit et les Institutions Pénales (CESDIP), supervised by Professor Jacques de Maillard.
  • Spain: Servicio de Protección de la Naturaleza de la Guardia Civil (SEPRONA).
  • Sweden: Institute for Future Studies, with support from Professor Jerzy Sarnecki.
• Interviews: In total, 70 professionals and academics were interviewed. Dr Sylvia I. Bergh, co-applicant on the project, played a key role in shaping the research proposal and research design, and contributed to data collection, including conducting interviews in French.
• Capacity building: Translating the findings into four practical recommendations for the Dutch police (see Results).
• Student involvement: Emil Dekker, a fourth-year SSMS student, supported as an intern and research assistant. He combined this with his thesis research on environmental enforcement in the Netherlands.

Contribution to society

The project contributes to strengthening the capacity of the Dutch police to tackle environmental crime, thus contributing to a cleaner and safer living environment. Through international cooperation and knowledge exchange, the project also promotes the broader European approach to environmental crime.

More information

For questions or cooperation opportunities, please contact Dr Anna Matczak ([email protected]) and Dr Sylvia I. Bergh ([email protected]).