LEAP – Law Enforcement Assistance Programme to Reduce Tropical Deforestation aims to share knowledge and build global networks to combat illegal deforestation and related crimes. Its goal is to assist member states in law enforcement in key countries of Latin America and Southeast Asia. By combating tropical deforestation, LEAP contributes to addressing climate change and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project is currently in its second phase.
Illegal deforestation generates an annual profit between US$ 50 and US$ 152 billion for organized crime groups. It promotes forest degradation, biodiversity loss, increased corruption, and human rights violations. Additionally, forest loss accelerates climate change, contributing to nearly 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In this context, LEAP's objectives include:
LEAP is the result of a partnership between the Norwegian International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI), the Container Control Program (CCP), INTERPOL, the Global Program against Money Laundering (GPML), and the UNODC Global Program for Strengthening Capacities to Prevent and Combat Organized Crime and Serious Crimes (GPTOC).
