Armed Conflict and Environment: Protecting the Environment During War and Improving Post-Conflict Natural Resource Management

Oct 7, 2008
Barcelona, Spain

Part of the Alliance Workshops at the World Conservation Congress (October 5-14, 2008), this program was held in Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB), Room 128, 9:30-11:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 7th, 2008.

This alliance workshop focused on two key aspects of armed conflict and the environment: (1) how to improve law governing the conduct of war to reduce its effects on the environment and the people who depend on the affected natural resources; and (2) how to enhance post-conflict natural resource management for peacemaking, peacebuilding, and the ultimate transition to peacetime sustainable development.

Despite active legal and conceptual development over the past three decades to improve protections during armed conflict, there are many prescriptive fault lines and practical gaps. These include, for example, the regime governing internal armed conflicts, possible military use being invoked to justify attacks on civilian infrastructure, and use of munitions having obnoxious environmental consequences. During the first part of this workshop, the Specialist Group on Armed Conflict and the Environment will explore opportunities to amend, strengthen, or develop new law and policy governing the conduct of hostilities to improve protections of the environment. The Specialist Group will share the results of and seek feedback regarding ongoing research as well as input into political processes.

The second part of the workshop shared findings of an ongoing effort to take stock of experiences in post-conflict natural resource management. As the international community has become more active in peacemaking, it has also become active in peacebuilding and post-conflict recovery. Over the last few decades, it is become increasingly apparent that effective natural resource management is an essential component of post-conflict peacebuilding and recovery. This session examined lessons learned from specific experiences of post-conflict countries in which natural resources played an important role in peacebuilding and recovery. The session also considered cross-cutting themes, such as post-conflict land tenure reform. The session concluded with a discussion of next steps, such as opportunities with the UN Peacebuilding Commission.