War on Nature: The Environmental Impact of Armed Conflict and Paths to Recovery

Jun 3, 2026 | XCEPT
London, UK and online
View Original

How do armed conflicts affect the environment? What are the social, economic, political, and cultural impacts of war-related environmental destruction? And how can affected communities and international actors deal with such destruction?Recent studies found that the environmental impacts of war are still detectable 25 years after fighting stopped. The first two weeks of war in Iran alone caused an additional five million tons of CO2 emissions by the US and the expected carbon footprint of reconstruction in Ukraine is projected to be more than four times larger than the countries pre-war CO2 emissions. Fighting and the associated destruction of infrastructure put a great burden on local ecosystems and water bodies across conflict-affected areas, where environmental institutions and traditional resource management often break down. This results in short-term, unregulated, and often unsustainable exploitation of natural resources which can constitute long-term obstacles to peace and sustainability.Drawing on evidence from conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and the Sahel, this event brings together experts to explore how contemporary armed conflicts reshape ecosystems and natural resource governance, and with what social, economic, and political implications. Crucially, experts will also discuss what communities and international actors can do during conflict and in its aftermath, and why environmental protection needs to be at the heart of peacebuilding.In-person participation is limited and places will be given on a first come-first served basis. This hybrid event will be followed by a networking reception.

Speakers:

Doug Weir - Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS)

Elisa Savelli - Mercy Corps

Natalia Skripnikova - GRID-Arendal

Sarah Njeri - SOAS, University of London

Discussant:

Will Reynolds - FCDO

Moderator:

Tobias Ide - XCEPT/PRIF