The Environmental Crimes Financial Toolkit (ECFT) is an online platform developed by WWF and Themis, supported by the Climate Solutions Partnership—a collaboration between HSBC, the World Resources Institute, and WWF. It assists financial institutions in monitoring risks related to deforestation, land conversion, and broader environmental crimes that could be linked to financial operations. By highlighting red flags and risks associated with various types of environmental and financial crimes, the toolkit helps financial institutions strengthen their screening processes when reviewing existing clients, onboarding new ones, and assessing sectoral risks.

Key Red Flag Categories:

• Geographical Indicators: Transactions linked to regions with high rates of deforestation or environmental degradation.​

• Transaction Patterns: Unusual financial activities that may indicate involvement in environmental crimes.

• Client Profile Anomalies: Discrepancies or inconsistencies in client information that could suggest environmental risk exposure.
   

By integrating these red flag indicators into their due diligence processes, financial institutions can better identify and mitigate risks associated with environmental crimes, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and responsible financial system.