Protecting the Environment in Times of Armed Conflict

Nov 1, 2022 - Nov 1, 2022 | Danish Institute for International Studies
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The environment is frequently a 'silent victim' of armed conflict. Conflicts can cause long-term damage to the environment, harming people's physical and mental health and livelihoods. Too often, the environment is directly or incidentally damaged by the use of certain tactics of warfare. The environmental consequences are manifold. Attacks can destroy pipelines and power plants, leading to various forms of contamination. Explosive remnants of war can contaminate soil and water sources, and harm wildlife. The Russian invasion in Ukraine demonstrates the damage caused to internationally protected wetlands as well as biosphere and national parks. In this webinar three experts who have followed the development of the principles for the protection of the environment in relation to armed conflict will discuss the principles and the current momentum of this agenda. We ask them if UN's member states, militaries, Non-State Armed Groups, and other actors mentioned in the principles are ready to implement them, and what can be done to move the agenda forward.Speakers Finn Stepputat, Senior Researcher, DIISJairo Munive, Independent ResearcherDoug Weir, Research and Policy Director, the Conflict and Environment ObservatoryVanessa Murphy, Senior Legal Advisor, International Committee of the Red CrossHiba Mikhail, Regional Legal and Policy Coordinator, Near and Middle East, Geneva Call