It works to safeguard global marine ecosystems by addressing the threats posed by plastic pollution,[1] by-catch and commercial exploitation of whales, dolphins and porpoises.

It seeks to reduce the impact of climate change by campaigning to eliminate refrigerant greenhouse gases, exposing related illicit trade and improving energy efficiency in the cooling sector.

In addition, its field experience is used to provide guidance to enforcement agencies and it also forms partnerships with local groups and activists, support their work through hands-on training.

[13] Key campaign areas include: EIA's Wildlife work started in the mid-1980s and aims to reduce wildlife crime around the world, advocating the dismantling of transnational criminal networks involved in illegal trade, pressing for better legislation and the closure of key markets, advocating improved enforcement techniques and exposing transnational organized criminal networks.

[25] In 2007, The US Environmental Protection Agency called the EIA's "investigative work, scientific documentation, and representation at international conventions ...highly effective and successful".