Tag Archives: environment
Carbon Trading At Increased Risk Of Criminal Exploitation: Interpol
Created on August 5, 2013 at 08:39 Carbon trading at increased risk of criminal exploitation: Interpol Tribune Desk Business The Interpol Guide to Carbon Trading Crime examines the areas within the industry which have the potential to be manipulated by criminals The intangible nature of the global carbon trading markets puts them at risk for exploitation by criminal networks, according to a new law enforcement guide produced by Interpol. The Interpol Guide to Carbon Trading Crime examines the areas within the industry which have the potential to be manipulated by criminals, through securities fraud, insider trading, embezzlement, money laundering and cybercrime. It also assesses the current vulnerabilities of the carbon market and provides information to support national authorities in establishing adequate policing measures, according to an Interpol press release. Carbon trading is the world’s fastest growing commodities market, with its current value estimated by the World Bank at around USD 176 billion. Differing from traditional markets in that there are no physical commodities, only “credits” for offsetting the output of carbon dioxide, it is this unquantifiable market combined with the large amounts of money invested and a lack of oversight which make it vulnerable to criminal activity. “It is imperative that the carbon trading markets remain secure from fraud, not just to protect financial investment, but also because the global environment depends upon it,” said Andrew Lauterback, Senior Criminal Enforcement Counsel at the US Environmental Protection Agency and Chair of the Interpol Environmental Crime Committee . “The Interpol Guide to Carbon Trading Crime is an important resource for all organizations and agencies committed to protecting our environment and developing a cohesive global response to this crime,” concluded Lauterback. An initiative of the Interpol Pollution Crime Working Group, the Interpol carbon trading guide was produced with contributions from partners including Environment Canada, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation, the Netherlands Government and the US Environmental Protection Agency. The Pollution Crime Working Group will hold its 18th meeting during the Interpol Environmental Compliance and Enforcement Events in Nairobi, Kenya from 4 to 8 November 2013. The guide includes several case studies from around the world where greenhouse gas accounting firms, national authorities operating in under-regulated jurisdictions, and individuals or companies claiming to offset emissions in return for investment have cut corners, falsified information or received bribes. “Crimes that harm our environment have a wider impact on the health and safety of society as a whole, and therefore must be investigated and the perpetrators punished,” said Interpol Secretary General Ronald K Noble. “Interpol will continue to fight the criminal networks which endanger our precious environmental resources and use their ill-gotten proceeds to fund other criminal activities,” concluded the Interpol chief. With eight carbon credit trading companies operating on the European Union Emission Trading Scheme recently shut down for malpractice, the Interpol guide seeks to generate an international law enforcement response to these crimes. “It is sad to see criminals using fraud and other crimes to make profit out of a commodity that was created to protect the environment. It is not just the financial harm it causes investors, but this criminal activity risks seriously undermining the environmental integrity of the carbon markets globally,” said David Higgins, Manager of Interpol’s Environmental Crime Programme. “Interpol is supporting governments which are in the process of establishing or regulating the carbon markets to put an end to these types of crimes,” he added. Interpol also assists law enforcement agencies in policing the carbon market across borders and jurisdictions, in particular by identifying inconsistent regulations between countries and other legal loopholes which can be exploited by criminals. Continue reading
Al Qaeda terror threat escalates
Al Qaeda terror threat escalates Amanda Fisher and Nivriti Butalia / 4 August 2013 As the threat of Al Qaeda-linked terror attacks extends across the globe, with the German, French and British embassies in Yemen announcing closures on Saturday in addition to blanket US embassy closures, local residents and security experts are remaining sceptical about the danger in the UAE. Extra blockades in place at a checkpoint leading to the US embassy in the Yemeni capital of Saana on Saturday. — AFP The American State Department announced on Thursday that 21 embassies across the Middle East would shut down Sunday, while on Friday a global travel alert was issued warning US citizens to be cautious travelling through the Middle East and North Africa after it revealed it had intelligence Al Qaeda was planning an attack in the region this month. On Saturday, the German and British foreign ministries announced the closure of the Yemen embassies in Sanaa only for both Sunday and Monday, while the French government said its embassy would shut for today only, signalling the threat is centred in the country. Interpol also issued a global security alert, after it revealed a series of prison breaks in Iran, Pakistan and Libya could be related and Al Qaeda-orchestrated. A British Foreign Ministry spokesman told Khaleej Times the closure related only to its mission in Sanaa, as did a German Foreign Ministry spokesman, who cited security reasons. “This is the only closure of a German embassy that has been decided so far and communicated. Of course, we are constantly checking the security situation and we’re in constant exchange with our international partners and we’re ready to take further measures.” He would not be drawn on the security situation in the UAE or whether further closures at different embassies were likely. The British Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it was “particularly concerned” about security in the lead-up to Eid Al Fitr. MENEA Travel Security Services regional security director Julian Moro said the threat was “more of a logistics problem than anything”. “We don’t look at it as a sensational threat.” Speaking of the speculated role of Al Qaeda, Moro said the company’s terrorism risk ratings for countries had not changed as a result of the recent alerts, and the rating for the UAE continued to be low. “The terrorism risk varies greatly between the listed countries.” He urged people to put faith in capable authorities. “Individuals should look at this from the perspective that intelligence services are capable and continue to monitor the environment for genuine threats and by taking a conservative approach they are minimising the risk to their staff, citizens and visitors.” John Larson, a media-marketing consultant who has been in Dubai for the past 16 years, said he was not particularly worried about the threat — one that he had heard of through the web and word-of-mouth. “I’ve been here 16 years and there have been just so many alerts and terror threats and warnings, that one is just kind of used to it.” However, he said it did not hurt to be vigilant. “This is a heads-up, sure, and you don’t want to be foolish. But based on the accuracy of these warnings over the last 10-12 years… well, I wouldn’t not do anything that I was going to do anyway. So if I had a plane to catch, I would still catch it.” Meanwhile, Interpol is investigating whether recent prison breaks in the three Islamic countries of Iraq, Libya and Pakistan, were linked, given the suspicion Al Qaeda was behind some of the breaks through which many escaped prisoners have not yet been caught. It asked its 190 member-countries to be on alert for information connected to the incidents. Prison breaks took place in Pakistan on July 31 in a Taleban-led operation, and in Iraq at the Abu Ghraib prison overnight on July 22. Some 500 convicts, among them senior Al Qaeda operatives, escaped from Abu Ghraib. More than 1,100 inmates broke out of a prison on the outskirts of Benghazi on July 27. Interpol also noted that August was the anniversary of several violent attacks over the past years, including in Mumbai and Nairobi. news@khaleejtimes.com (With inputs from agencies) Continue reading
The Night of Power arrives
The Night of Power arrives Ahmed Shaaban / 4 August 2013 Want to have all your sins forgiven? Want to start a new chapter? Want to get closer to God? Want to add more than 83 years of worship to your life? It’s simple, by maximising worship on Lailat Al Qadr (The night of power). Though all days and nights of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last ten days hold a special status stressed in the recommendations and practices of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), particularly the night of August 4 (27th night of Ramadan ) or Al Qadr Night that is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims. Islamic researcher Dr Shaikh Mohammed Ashmawy said Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) used to keep himself and his wives busy in acts of worship during these blessed days which may lead to a man’s release from hell and help him secure a high position in Paradise. “These acts of worships are praying, supplicating, reading the Quran, performing Zikr (Remembrance of God), giving charity, and taking part in a spiritual retreat called ‘Itekaf’, where you spend all ten days in the mosque reading the Quran and praying.” Seeking Laylat Al Qadr, particularly on the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of Ramadan, is highly advised by the Prophet. “That night of power, honour and grace is better in virtue and reward than a sincere worship of a thousand months as stipulated in Chapter 79/3,” Dr Ashmawy said. Shaikh Mahmoud Marei, Imam of Al Huda Mosque, said there are some signs by which the night of Laylat Al Qadr is identified. “As the Prophet quoted, it is a pleasant and bright night, neither hot nor cold, and the sun rises red, weak with no visible rays the following day.” Shaikh Mohammed Al Arabi, Imam of Al Tawheed Mosque, said Allah forgives the previous sins of the one who stays up and prays during this great night — when the Holy Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) — out of faith and in hope of earning the reward from Him. Certain Duas (supplications) are also recommended on this night. ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
