We’re counting down to the end of 2025 by looking back at our biggest reports of the year! These investigations held some of the most powerful people and companies on the planet accountable for environmental crimes, human rights abuses, and other injustices around the world:

Learn more about the illegal refrigerant trade, check out our previous Illegal Trade Bulletin issues, and sign up to get the next issue here!

Dangerous counterfeit and smuggled refrigerants undermine climate protections and pose serious safety risks. Issue 4 of our Illegal Trade Bulletin showcases three recent enforcement successes and why training matters for effective enforcement:

As we face an uncertain future together, thank you to everyone who stands with us to combat environmental crime and injustice. Your donations today will help us continue to protect our environment with intelligence in 2026: https://t.co/s7mukhBsam

In September, we provided critical updates on the status of elephant ivory, rhino horn, and pangolin scale trafficking in Vietnam, exposing the routes and concealment methods that criminals use to transport illegal wildlife products on into China: https://t.co/7yUs6WjIpI

In July, we exposed the largest mercury smuggling operation ever recorded. This unprecedented investigation resulted in Peruvian authorities (SUNAT) seizing more than four tons of the toxic material: https://t.co/8ZX8H9vctD

Also in May, we unveiled an alleged cover-up behind a deadly disaster on a Gabonese offshore oil rig run by one of the world's largest privately owned oil companies: https://t.co/JTf8EAzH1C

Happy holidays from EIA US! As we look back at the last year and look forward to 2026, the next generation of environmental advocates shared some words of wisdom with us about connecting with nature 💚 Support our work to create a better future for them: https://t.co/s7mukhBsam

In May, we found that unlawful timber exports from Colombia to the U.S., EU, and Canada - especially those used for decking and flooring - are sustaining armed groups and illegal logging: https://t.co/yltsqepHjX

In April, we exposed how timber from the dense rainforests of the Brazilian state of Pará are being plundered by illegal loggers and ending up as luxury decks, benches, and public boardwalks in the U.S. and Europe: https://t.co/PDClO8Trkn

In March, we revealed how the state-owned and largest oil company in Colombia has been allegedly committing and covering up environmental and human rights violations, thanks to one brave whistleblower who shared the #IguanaPapers with the world: https://t.co/uBmXSh0jXn

In February, we uncovered evidence of the scale and impact of cattle ranching in some of Colombia's most deforested national parks. The report documented over 24,000 cattle grazing in more than 180 ranches within the boundaries of three national parks:

Despite Japan's arguments to the contrary at #COP20, the reality is that the country has a massive stockpile of ivory that is not well controlled, does not conform with CITES, and contributes to illegal international trade. https://t.co/czei6E7hWu

Evidence has long made it clear that legal ivory markets fuel demand for ivory, and that demand leads to elephants being poached for their tusks. Japan, as the only major legal market left, must make changes to its domestic ivory regulations and finally shut down the trade.

"Inventory in Japan is piling up" as domestic demand for ivory declines, says @JTEFstaff director Masayuki Sakamoto, but because "demand from China and other countries persists," Japan's legal ivory industry often fuels black market trade overseas:

La tala ilegal amenaza a las personas, los bosques y el clima. En Colombia, sostiene a grupos armados e involucra la explotación de comunidades en regiones afectadas por el conflicto, como reveló EIA en 2025

Colombia toma medidas contra la #talailegal y la #corrupción en áreas protegidas, desmantelando una importante red criminal; entre los arrestos hay funcionarios de #Corpoamazonia https://t.co/FFn2dCwVox

Climate action often has benefits far beyond limiting rising temperatures. Reducing emissions of potent pollutants like fluorinated chemicals can also protect human health and improve energy efficiency in heating and cooling technologies:

Erasing facts and spreading misinformation on government websites can't hide the reality of the climate crisis. The impacts of rising temperatures and increasingly powerful natural disasters are already being felt by communities around the world - including in the United States.

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