Earth, Water, Air, Fire. Environmental Crimes, Mafia Power and Political Negligence in Calabria

The Calabrian region in the South of Italy hosts criminal clans belonging to the mafia-type organisation known as the ‘ndrangheta and it is also recognised as a territory in one of the convergence areas benefiting from EU structural and cohesion funds and policies. The region is exceptionally challenged in its development and in the implementation of innovation strategies. Developing an original approach based upon a green criminology perspective and the literature on organised crime and mafia, this chapter uses media sources, judicial proceedings and official records to evaluate the strategies and the interests of the ‘ndrangheta in criminal activities affecting the environment. This discussion will specifically focus on the abuse/misuse of EU structural and innovation funds allocated to the region for environmental innovation projects. The chapter will critically link the choices of local criminal clans with the criminal opportunities offered by European regional policies, including opportunities to profit from exploitation of the environment in various ways.