Staff Sgt. Kenneth Burkhart

The United Nations commemorated the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict on November 6^th, 2024. This day serves as a critical reminder of the need to protect the environment from the devastating impacts of war. It draws attention to the often-neglected ecological consequences of armed conflict and emphasizes the importance of incorporating environmental protection into peacebuilding strategies. In alignment with these goals, the International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons (ICBUW) has chosen this day as its International Action Day to underscore its commitment to preventing environmental harm caused by depleted uranium weapons, making its mission a natural fit with the themes of this observance.

In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly established this UN Day through Resolution A/RES/56/4, which emphasized the necessity of safeguarding nature for the sake of future generations and working for the protection of our common environment. It recognizes the severe and lasting damage conflicts inflict on ecosystems. Over the years, growing concerns over the exploitation of natural resources in war zones have highlighted the need for sustainable practices in conflict and post-conflict settings. In 2016, the United Nations Environment Assembly adopted Resolution UNEP/EA.2/Res.15, underscoring the role of healthy ecosystems in reducing conflict risks. This resolution reaffirmed the commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, placing environmental protection at the heart of global efforts to achieve long-term peace and stability.

War leaves a profound mark on the environment. Cities, forests, fields and rivers become battlegrounds, bearing the marks of military operations. Despite the critical role these ecosystems play in sustaining life, their destruction is frequently overlooked in post-conflict recovery efforts. In Iraq, during the battle for Mosul in 2017, the Islamic State deliberately set fire to oil wells, releasing toxic clouds that poisoned the air, water, and soil. In Afghanistan, decades of conflict-driven deforestation have stripped the country of 95% of its forest cover in some areas, while in Yemen and Gaza, damage to water infrastructure has compounded humanitarian crises.

The war in Ukraine has further highlighted these issues, with widespread environmental pollution threatening critical ecosystems beyond its borders. Lastly, the Palestinian Authority for Environmental Quality reported that the Israeli forces have dropped more than 85,000 tons of bombs on the Gaza Strip since October 2023, a heavier bombing tall than World War II and 1.5 times the explosive force of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. In a statement issued to commemorate the International Day, it was stressed that “the damage inflicted on water infrastructure has led to polluted water leaking into underground aquifers, heralding a public health and environmental disaster that threatens hundreds of thousands of residents for years to come.”. To address the current non-stop bombing issue, on October 19^th, 2024, a thematic conference on Environmental Safety in Armed Conflict was held in Helsinki, hosted by Finland and co-organized by Germany, Bulgaria, and Ukraine. Its goal was to follow up on the conflicts that caused in Ukraine a large-scale environmental damage resulted in unprecedented pollution.

One particularly concerning aspect of modern warfare is the use of depleted uranium (DU) weapons. While these munitions are valued for their effectiveness in piercing armored vehicles, they leave a toxic legacy. DU contamination poses severe risks to human health of civilian living in conflict zone, contributing to cancers, kidney damage, and congenital disabilities. Moreover, DU residues contaminate soil, water, and air, disrupting ecosystems and rendering large tracts of land uninhabitable. The environmental devastation caused by DU weapons aligns closely with the themes of this UN observance, reinforcing the need for stringent measures to prevent environmental exploitation in times of war.

Finally, the UN Secretary-General, during the last General Assembly, called for stronger global commitments to address the environmental impacts of conflict and urged nations and international bodies to take proactive measures to mitigate environmental damage in armed conflict zones. As COP29 unfolds in Baku, the intersection of climate action and conflict prevention takes center stage. This year’s UN International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict underscores the urgent need to address environmental damage in conflict zones as part of the broader climate agenda.  It provides another vital opportunity to reflect on the hidden costs of war and to strengthen our resolve in safeguarding the environment. Both initiatives remind us that protecting the environment is crucial not only for ecological preservation but also for ensuring civilian security and fostering sustainable peace.

Nicolas Deriquehem

ICBUW intern – 23.11.2024