New civil society initiative on conflict and the environment

Jan 27, 2014 | Toxic Remnants of War

During the last two years, the Toxic Remnants of War Project has sought to establish whether an approach that merged environmental and humanitarian principles could strengthen obligations aimed at minimizing and remedying environmental harm resulting from conflict.

The Project was conscious that protection for the environment during and after conflict has lagged far behind the developing standards and norms applicable in peacetime, a situation that has implications for not only the environment but also the protection of civilians.

In late 2013, and together with NGOs active in the field of humanitarian disarmament, the project agreed to found a new network to call for progress in the field. The network will call on states and other actors to improve mechanisms, policies and procedures for addressing the consequences of environmental harm generated by conflict, and clarify and strengthen obligations governing responsibility, assistance and cooperation.  

It will also call on states to commit to the rigorous assessment of the environmental legacy of conflict, its impact on human health and support states and communities affected by environmental damage and in doing so, ban the most damaging military practices.

The field of humanitarian disarmament has had considerable success in restricting weapons such as anti-personnel landmines and cluster munitions. The new Network will aim to utilize the community's experience in achieving these aims and create a channel for the transfer of skills and knowledge between the environmental and disarmament communities.

Further information on the project’s approach and priorities is available via the project blog. The knowledge and opinion of experts and practitioners has been critical to the development of framing of the project’s work thus far and as such, it remains open to feedback and ideas on scope and priorities.

The project welcomes cooperation with organisations and individuals. For further information on the initiative or to get involved, please contact Project Manager Doug Weir at doug@toxicremnantsofwar.info.